56 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



cooler sections of the state, now that varieties of good size and 

 quality are obtainable. Chappelow has been in bearing at 

 Miami for some years, maturing there in June and July, which 

 is considerably earlier than in California. 



In Cuba it is said 'that trees growing on dry soils will hold 

 their fruits longer than those growing on low moist land. 

 Occasional seedling trees (West Indian race) are found through- 

 out Cuba which have the reputation of carrying their fruits 

 until Christmas or even later. Such trees are, of course, 

 highly profitable to their owners, since avocados are in great 

 demand in Habana during the winter months, and the supply 

 at present is limited. 



PICKING, PACKING, AND MARKETING 



Avocados are picked best with orange clippers. The stem is 

 usually swollen just above the point of attachment with the 

 fruit; it should be severed with the clippers immediately 

 above this swollen portion. In order to supply the early 

 markets, avocados are sometimes picked before they are fully 

 mature, a custom which should be discouraged. Immature 

 fruits are certain to be inferior in flavor, and should they fall 

 into the hands of those who were trying the avocado for the first 

 time they would be certain to give a bad impression. Trapps 

 are usually left on the tree as long as possible, in order to obtain 

 the high prices which late fruit commands; when they begin 

 to change from bright green to yellowish green they must be 

 picked or they will drop. If they are picked only a day or two 

 before they would drop, they are sure to ripen in transit and 

 reach the market in an over-ripe condition. To prevent this, 

 Cellon advises that questionable fruits be laid aside for twenty- 

 four hours ; if at the end of this time they are still firm, they 

 may safely be packed for shipment. 



The standard package for avocados in southern Florida is the 



