78 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



with numerous reddish dots ; skin less than -fa inch thick, easily peeled 

 from the flesh, firm in texture ; flesh rich cream yellow near the seed, 

 changing to pale green near the skin, buttery in texture, and of rich 

 nutty flavor ; quality very good ; seed medium to large, tight in the 

 cavity, with both seed-coats adhering closely to the cotyledons. 

 Season December to February in southern California. 



Originated at Atlixco, state of Puebla, Mex- 

 ico; first propagated in 1911, in which year it 

 was introduced into California. A vigorous and 

 hardy variety, fruiting later in the season than 

 most others of its race. 



FIG. 9. The Puebla 

 avocado. (X f ) 



Hybrids. 



This group has been established to in- 

 clude hybrids between Persea drymifolia 

 (the Mexican race of horticulture) and P. 

 americana (the Guatemalan and West 

 Indian races). Fuerte is the only variety 

 which at present falls within it, and even 

 this is not definitely known to be a hybrid. It bears, however, 

 many evidences of hybridity, and cannot rightly be classified 

 either with the Mexican or the Guatemalan races. 



Fuerte. Form pyrif orm (not necked) to oblong ; size below 

 medium to above medium, weight 10 to 16 ounces, length 4 to 4? 

 inches, greatest breadth 2i to 2| inches; base pointed; the stem 

 inserted obliquely in a small shallow cavity ; apex obliquely flattened, 

 depressed around the stigmatic point; surface pebbled, sometimes 

 slightly wrinkled around the stem, dull green, with numerous small 

 yellow dots ; skin about ^ inch thick, separating readily from the flesh, 

 pliable and leathery in texture; flesh rich cream yellow in color, 

 greenish near the skin, of smooth buttery texture, and very rich flavor ; 

 quality excellent; seed small, tight in cavity, seed-coats closely sur- 

 rounding cotyledons. Season January to August in southern California. 



Originated at Atlixco, state of Puebla, Mexico; first propagated 

 in 1911, in which year it was introduced into California. An unusual 

 variety, apparently a hybrid between the Guatemalan race of Persea 

 americana and the Mexican race (P. drymifolia). It is characterized 

 by great vigor of growth, hardiness, good productiveness, and a long 

 season of ripening differing from that of nearly all Guatemalan and 

 Mexican varieties. The fruit contains as much as 30 per cent of fat, 

 and is of very pleasant flavor. 



