220 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. I908. 



much rougher than that of the first, and the flesh coarser in 

 texture and more leathery. The skin was removed and only the 

 edible part analyzed. In the white, smooth coated variety the 

 refuse amounted to 14 per cent; in the yellow the refuse was 

 larger, amounting to about 23 per cent. 



6522. Air potato. (Dioscorea bulbifcra). This is a native 

 of Tropical Asia. The angular tubers are aerial, being borne in 

 ■ the axils. Those of some varieties are said to weigh several 

 pounds each. They are palatable and potato-like in flavor.* 



Two specimens were received. These were shaped like huge, 

 swollen beechnuts, were about 4 inches in length and weighed a 

 little over one-fourth of a pound each. The skin was nearly 

 black, but within the color and texture were much like that of 

 a potato. The skin was very thin and only four per cent of the 

 whole tuber was rejected as inedible. 



6524. Avocado or alligator pear. (Persea gratissima) . 

 This is native to the West Indies, Mexico to Peru, and Brazil. 

 "The fruits are large, more or less pear-shaped, and covered 

 with a green or deep purple skin and containing a large quantity 

 of a firm yellowish-green pulp, inclosing a single large seed. 

 * * * The pulp is marrow-like and is eaten as a salad, 

 usually with the addition of pepper, salt, and vinegar. The 

 pulp contains an abundance of oil, which may be used for illum- 

 inating purposes, also for soap making." *** 



The avocado is now cultivated in Florida, the Hawaiian 

 Islands, and to some extent in California. t Small amounts are 

 shipped from the tropics to northern cities and the demand is 

 far in excess of the supply. On account of the scarcity and 

 excellence of the fruit, prices are very high, often ranging from 

 35 to 75 cents for single fruits.? 



A single specimen of the fruit was received, weighing a trifle 

 over a pound (480 grams). The pulp made up 65 per cent of 

 the whole ; the skin 1 1 per cent ; and the seed 24 per cent. The 

 analysis given on page 224 is that of the pulp or edible portion. 

 It is said ** that the avocado contains no soluble carbohydrates 

 and that it is therefore well adapted to the use of diabetics. 



* Bailey, Cyclopedia of American Horticulture, Vol. II, p. 487. 



*** Bailey. Cyclop dia of American Horticulture. 



t Rolfe. The Avocado in Florida. Bureau of Plant Industry, Bui. 61, U. S. D. A. 



t Collins. The Avodado. Bureau of Plant Industry, Bui. 77, U. S. D. A. 



**Chem. Abstracts, Vol. 2, No. 7, p. 1019. 



