THE AVOCADO IN GUATEMALA. 21 



cult to determine when it is ready to be picked. Among the Guate- 

 malans there is a rule covering this point which, if experience proves 

 it will hold good in the United Stales, may be useful to avocado 

 growers. The earliest moment at ivhick avocados may be picked is 

 when the tree has come into full bloom. At this time they are usually 

 mature enough to be of satisfactory flavor and do not wilt or shrivel 

 on softening, but the flesh becomes of a deeper yellow color and much 

 richer flavor if the fruit is allowed to remain on the tree two to four 

 months longer. 



In the case of purple varieties, there is another indication of ma- 

 turity. When immature the fruits are green in color and only assume 

 a purple shade on approaching maturity. At the first appearance 

 of this purple color they are considered ready for picking, but are 

 not at their best until the color has become deep and pronounced over 

 the entire fruit. 



In order to supply the markets of the city of Guatemala during 

 October, November, and December, many fruits are picked in An- 

 tigua while still immature. On softening, these fruits wilt and often 

 shrivel around the stem end, while the flavor is sweetish, lacking in 

 richness, and at times almost unpalatable. Thousands of these im- 

 mature fruits are picked every year. This practice is one which 

 must be guarded against in the United States. Unless evidences of 

 wilting are present, the purchaser, even though he be familiar with 

 avocados, can not distinguish with certainty an immature fruit from 

 a mature one solely by examining its exterior. The only exceptions 

 are those varieties known to change color on ripening. 



The methods of picking employed in Guatemala are primitive and 

 can offer nothing but negative suggestions to North American or- 

 chardists. Frequently the fruits are knocked from the tree with a 

 club thrown by a person standing on the ground, or they may be 

 broken off with a long bamboo pole and allowed to fall to the ground. 

 It is fortunate that the avocado* can stand such severe treatment 

 without serious injury. 



When the fruit must be carried several miles to market it is usually 

 shipped as soon after picking as possible, since it would be impossible 

 for the Guatemalans, with only the most primitive means of trans- 

 portation in many oases, to ship it without bruising if it had com- 

 menced to soften. The commonest means of transportation in re- 

 gions remote from the railway are oxcarts, pack animals, and Indian 

 cargaclores — 'men who carry on their backs a load of about 150 pounds. 



When picked for marketing in the immediate vicinity the fruits 

 are ripened in the house and carried into the plaza on market day 

 in a fully ripened condition. 



It is almost universally believed in Guatemala that avocados must 

 be picked when the moon is full. If not, it is believed that they do 



