MISCELLANEOUS FRUITS 447 



Hernandez observed that the seed, if eaten raw, was poisonous 

 to animals and men. An analysis of the fruit made at the 

 University of California shows it to contain : Water 72.64 per 

 cent, ash 0.44, protein 0.64, total sugars 20.64 (invert sugar 

 8.44, sucrose 12.20), fat 0.46, crude fiber 1.26, and starch and the 

 like 3.92. 



In its climatic requirements the tree is distinctively sub- 

 tropical. It is not altogether successful in Central America 

 below 3000 feet, and it thrives at elevations of 5000 to 6000 feet. 

 It is even found in places which are too high (i.e., too cold) 

 for the avocado. It prefers a well-drained sandy loam, but 

 may be grown on clay if the drainage is good, and in Florida 

 it has done well on shallow sandy soils underlaid with soft 

 limestone. It is drought-resistant, but succeeds much better 

 in dry regions if irrigated like the orange. 



While young, the tree should be watered liberally to en- 

 courage growth, and when it is about three feet high it should 

 have the terminal bud removed, in order to induce branching ; 

 three or four laterals will develop, and these in turn, after 

 they have grown to a length of one or two feet, should have the 

 terminal buds removed. Unless this is done, the tree may 

 grow ten or twelve feet high before it branches. 



Seeds should be planted as soon as possible after their 

 removal from the fruit in flats of light porous soil, or singly 

 in three-inch pots, covering them to the depth of an inch. If 

 the weather is warm, or artificial heat is provided, germina- 

 tion will take place within three or four weeks. The young 

 plants should be grown in pots until two or three feet high, 

 when they may be set out in the open ground. 



Seedlings do not come into bearing until seven or eight 

 years old, and many produce fruit of inferior quality. For 

 this reason propagation should be effected by some vegetative 

 means. Shield-budding is successfully practiced, the method 

 being essentially the same as with the avocado. Stock plants 



