166 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



covered with wax or paint to prevent decay. Of the new shoots that start, 

 only a few are allowed to grow and when these attain a size of three-quarters 

 of an inch in diameter they are ready for budding in the manner above 

 described. 



Pruning should take place during the early growth of the trees to 

 establish low heads and the proper form. After well grown, trees require 

 very little pruning. The wood, being quite soft, will not stand abuse 

 from pruning instruments. All cuts should be smoothly made and, on all 

 larger branches, should be protected with a covering of paint or wax to 

 prevent decay. 



The seedling trees come into bearing between the fourth and eighth 

 years, the average bearing age being about six years. The life of the tree 

 in Florida and California is as yet not determined, although there are 

 records of trees eighty or more years old in some parts of the American 

 tropics. It will be safe to estimate the bearing life at not over twenty- 

 five years. 



Like the deciduous fruits, the avocado has a tendency to fruit in alter- 

 nate years. This is generally due to setting more fruit than can be properly 

 matured. Thinning is therefore advised. This will encourage larger size 

 and better quality of the fruits that are allowed to remain and will not over- 

 tax the tree so as to prevent its bearing a crop the following year. Individ- 

 ual trees of the thin-skinned Mexican variety in southern California have 

 produced as many as 5000 small fruits annually. Such fruits have little 

 commercial value, but are of considerable value for their seeds, which are 

 used for nursery purposes. Of course, these should all be grafted or budded 

 before being set in orchards. 



All fruits that are to be placed upon the market should be hand picked 

 and handled with the greatest care. Orange clippers are advised for this 

 purpose, about three-eighths of an inch of the stem being left on each fruit. 

 The fruits, if to be shipped, should be carefully wrapped and packed in 

 small packages, so that they will carry without injury. Fruits of fine 

 quality in good condition on the large city markets in the United States 

 sell for 30 to 75 cents each. The kind of fruits to ship will depend upon 

 market demands and the shipping qualities of the different varieties. 



The industry of growing avocados is comparatively new and $ list of 

 the most desirable varieties for different purposes is not available. At 

 least twenty-five .different varieties of California origin have come to 

 notice. It is doubtful if the commercial variety of the future has yet 

 appeared. At least, none have been found that may be considered good 

 shippers. 



As a fruit the avocado exceeds in food value all other species. A test 

 of the food value of twenty-six varieties gave an average of 984 calories per 

 pound of edible fruit. This is important, as it is more than twice the maxi- 

 mum noted for any other fruits. The fuel value is not far from twice that 

 of average lean meat. Of course, they are much lower in protein. 



