THE AVOCADO IF GUATEMALA. 57 



oblate avocados frequently are found to vary considerably in size, 

 even among the fruits of a single tree. In this particular variety 

 the average is not large, but occasional fruits were found in which the 

 seed was a trifle too large. In others it is comparatively small. It 

 is always tight in the cavity. 



The following is a formal description of the fruit. 



Form roundish oblate or oblate; size medium to above medium; weight 12 

 to 15 ounces, length 3£ inches, greatest breadth 3| to 3f inches ; base rounded, 

 the very short, stout stem inserted almost squarely and without depression; 

 apex flattened, not depressed ; fruits borne singly or in clusters of two to six ; 

 surface almost smooth or very lightly pebbled, deep purple in color, glossy, with 

 very numerous, minute, yellowish dots; skin thin for this race, one-sixteenth 

 of an inch at apex and slightly less toward the base of the fruit, pliable, peeling 

 readily ; flesh firm, smooth, rich cream yellow, changing to pale green near the 

 skin, free from fiber or discoloration, and of rich, pleasant flavor ; quality ex- 

 cellent; seed roundish oblate, variable in size, weighing If to 3, commonly 2, 

 ounces ; tight in the cavity, with both seed coats adhering closely to the 

 cotyledons. 



BENIK. (No. 21.) S. P. I. No. 44626. 



The fruit of the Benik avocado is very handsome (PL XVIII) 

 and of fine quality. When cut in half the contrast of its purplish 

 maroon skin with its rich yellow flesh is very pleasing, the purple 

 of the skin intensifying the yellow of the flesh. The tree is a good 

 bearer, and the variety seems well worthy of a trial in the United 

 States. 



The parent tree is growing in the finca La Polvora in Antigua. It 

 has recently been girdled, with t^he intention of killing it to make 

 room for more coffee bushes, so that it will probably not be in exist- 

 ence by 1,919. The elevation of this spot is about 5,100 feet. The 

 tree stands among coffee bushes, some of which grow beneath its 

 branches. The soil is a loose, sandy loam, deep and fertile. The tree 

 is about 35 feet high, the trunk 18 inches in diameter at the base, 

 and the first branches 12 feet from the ground. The age of the tree 

 is not known, but it appears to be at least 20 years. The growth is 

 vigorous and shapely, though the branchlets are rather short. The 

 bud wood furnished by the tree is quite satisfactory, the eyes being 

 well developed and not losing their outer bud scales or falling early. 

 The bud sticks, however, are short. 



The hardiness of the variety must be considered about average 

 until the facts can be ascertained by a test in the United States. 

 The climate of Antigua is not cold enough to show the hardiness of 

 an avocado of the Guatemalan race. 



The tree flowers in late February and March. It ripened a fairly 

 good crop of fruit in 1917 from the 1916 blooms and set a very heavy 

 crop to ripen in 1918. Its productiveness, therefore, seems to be 

 above the average. The season of ripening is from February, when 



