THE AVOCADO IKT GUATEMALA. 43 



and the eyes are strong and well developed, showing no tendency to 

 drop at an early date, as they do in some varieties. 



During the period in which this tree was under observation it 

 showed a peculiarity in flowering which was not noticed elsewhere in 

 Guatemala. In November, 1916, flowers were produced and a few 

 fruits set. Since a heavy crop was produced in 1916, it was thought 

 that the fruits set from the November bloom were all that would be 

 developed during 1917, but in January the tree flowered again and 

 set a very heavy crop of fruit. 



The production in 1916 amounted to more than 100 fruits, which 

 can be considered a heavy crop when the size of the fruits and the 

 small size of the tree are considered. The crop for 1917 promised 

 to be considerably larger. In 1916 the fruits were practically all 

 picked in November, at which time they were considered by the 

 owner to be mature. Doubtless they would have been much better 

 if left on the tree two or three months longer. 



The fruit is broadly oval, quite uniform in shape, with a smooth 

 green surface when ripe. The weight varies from 14 to 20 ounces. 

 The skin is about as thick as in the average variety of the Guatemalan 

 race, which is one-sixteenth of an inch or slightly more. The flesh 

 is free from fiber, clear, of good texture, and of pleasant flavor. 

 Specimens sampled in November, 1916, were not as rich as would be 

 desired, but it may reasonably be assumed that they would have been 

 much better if they had been left on the. tree two or three months 

 longer. Perfectly ripened specimens of this variety have not been 

 tested; hence, the quality of this fruit when at its best must remain 

 somewhat in doubt until it comes into bearing in the United States. 

 The seed is comparatively small and always tight in its cavity. 



A formal description of this variety follows. 



Form uniformly oval ; size above medium to large, weight 14 to 18 ounces, 

 at times up to 20 ounces, length 4£ inches, greatest breadth 3i inches ; base 

 rounded, with the stem inserted obliquely without depression ; stem stout, about 

 6 inches long; apex rounded, with the stigmatic point to one side and slightly 

 elevated ; surface nearly smooth, slightly undulating, and sometimes obscurely 

 ribbed, deep green in color, almost glossy, with a few scattering, large, yellowish 

 green dots; skin thick, slightly over one-sixteenth of an inch at base, nearly 

 one-eighth of an inch at apex, coarsely granular, brittle ; flesh cream color, pale 

 green near the skin, of fairly rich flavor, and free from fiber or discoloration ; 

 quality very good ; seed rather small in comparison to the size of the fruit, 

 almost spherical, about 2\ ounces in weight, tight in the cavity, with both seed 

 coats adhering closely to the nearly smooth cotyledons. 



KANOLA. (No. 6.) S. P. I. No. 43560. 



The Kanola variety (PI. XIV) possesses several valuable character- 

 istics. It is one of the earliest found in the Antigua region, com- 

 mencing to ripen at the end of October. This makes it of particular 

 interest to avocado growers in California, since early- ripening va- 



