Bill. 743, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 



Plate IX. 



Selling Avocados in an Indian Village. 



Once or twice a week the Indians of the Guatemalan highlands take their produce to the nearest 

 village, where a public market is held in the plaza, or central square. During a large part of the 

 year avocados are conspicuous in these markets, the choicest varieties produced in the vicinity 

 being brought together here. Seeds from these fruits are scattered widely, and many of them 

 give rise to new trees. Having good parentage, these trees are apt to produce superior fruit. The 

 process amounts to seed selection and probably has a marked effect in improving the general 

 level of the avocado in many regions. (Photographed at San Cristobal, Alta Vera Paz, Guatemala, 

 April 2, 1917; P17188FS.) 



