MISCELLANEOUS TROPICAL FRUITS 163 



mentioned. The looser the sand the less stirring will be required and the 

 greater the saving in labor. When planted in the single-row system the 

 cultivation should also aim to support the plants from tipping over as much 

 as possible. The fruits being borne at considerable height and being of 

 considerable weight, cause the plants to tip. In this position the fruits 

 are subject to sun-scald on one side which gives them a poor appearance 

 when placed upon the market. 



Varieties. The leading varieties are the Cayenne, a conical, slightly 

 yellow, aromatic, juicy fruit, weighing as much as ten pounds: Queen, an 

 exceptionally aromatic fruit, very desirable and very extensively culti- 

 vated; it is a good keeper, ships well and weighs as much as eight pounds 

 per fruit: Spanish, medium in size, juicy, good quality and early, fruits 

 weigh as much as six pounds and are a favorite on many of the markets. 

 There are many other varieties that are good for local consumption, but 

 not all of them possess good shipping qualities. 



Marketing. The keeping qualities of pineapples depend largely 

 upon the care with which they are handled. They are susceptible to 

 injuries, especially bruises, and should be handled as carefully as straw- 

 berries or other perishable fruits. Stiff bushel baskets are recommended 

 for collecting the fruit from the plants. Some of the varieties may be 

 removed from the plants by giving the fruit a quick jerk across the knee. 

 Others, like the cabezonas, must be cut off. In all events, the stem must 

 never break into the fruit. Cutting with a long stem is advised. 



The fruit is best shipped in crates. It should be graded to uniformity 

 in size and appearance. Care should be exercised to so pack that the spines 

 on the crowns will not puncture the fruit. 



The Avocado is a tropical tree, adapted to climatic conditions in south- 

 ern California and a considerable portion of Florida. Most of the varieties 

 are injured by frost, but the more hardy ones will stand a few degrees below 

 freezing. The tree is an evergreen with large, leathery leaves. It attains a 

 height of from 25 to 60 feet, depending upon the variety and local conditions. 

 The wood is brittle and easily broken by winds. The flowers and fruit are 

 easily blown from the trees. For this reason the trees should be grown in 

 sheltered locations or artificial windbreaks should be provided. 



The fruit varies in size, shape and color. While it is usually pear- 

 shaped, it not infrequently is round or oval. The color ranges through 

 light-green, dark-green, brown, purple and red. The center of the fruit 

 contains a single, large, round seed. The yellowish-buttery, fleshy portion 

 between the seed and the skin is the edible part. It is rich in protein and 

 oil, the percentage of the latter ranging from 10 to 30 per cent of the pulp. 



Professor J. E. Higgins, in Bulletin No. 25 of the Hawaiian Experiment 

 Station, describes the fruit as follows: "Its unique character reduces to a 

 minimum its competition with other fruits, while its rich, nut-like flavor 

 is almost universally enjoyed among those who have known it long enough 

 to become familiar with its peculiar charm. It is a fruit and yet so unlike 



