BULLETIN 1073, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



METHODS OF ANALYSIS. 



The methods of analysis of the Association of Official Agricultural 

 Chemists were used. 



Specific gravity of the fruit was determined by weighing it in air 

 and under water. Each fruit was then cut in half, lengthwise, the 

 seed removed, and the pulp separated from the skin by means of a 

 spoon. Often it was necessary to remove the skin of the fresh 

 immature samples by paring. In such cases the separations could 

 not always be accurately made, a fact which must be taken into 



3.0 



Figure 1.— Monthly increase in fat content of the edibls portion of avocados. 



consideration in interpreting the results. The seed, skin, and pulp 

 were weighed and the percentage of each was determined. 



Moisture was determined by drying to constant weight in vacuo 

 at 70° C. 



Ash was determined by thoroughly charring the sample at low 

 heat, extracting the char with hot water, and ashing the residue at 

 red heat. Next the water-soluble ash was added. The whole was 

 then evaporated to dryness and heated to very low redness. 



