THE AVOCADO. 



59 



■KT ^ ''?"S^-P"*, ^^ northen States the avocado is almost a straneer. 

 New York City is becoming a most excellent market for the fruit. It 

 only has to be known to be loved and appreciated. I am firmly of the 

 opinion that the avocado is the coming fruit, and eventually the demand 

 win be greater than for any class of tropical or semi-tropical fruit. 



'The avocado is found on all the older places throughout the 

 Biscayne Bay country, and on all the places more recently settled thou- 

 sands of trees are coming into bearing. The avocado is one of the staple 

 crops of this section, and one that pays the farmer more clear money 

 to the acre than any other fruit crop known." 



During the preparation of this chapter, correspondence with 

 growers and others familiar with present conditions, has resulted 

 in the collection of some interesting and valuable data. Without 

 exception the practical men of greatest experience in Florida horti- 

 culture, who have answered the writer's questions in the circular 

 letter addressed to them, are emphatic in their expressions that large 

 returns await the successful grower of avocados. Some of the replies 

 are here quoted. They show the prevailing opinion held by all who 

 are best acquainted with the facts : 



"The culture of this fruit is a profitable business. It certainly pays 

 me. I advise planting commercial orchards of the avocado." 



"I think the culture cf the avocado could be made very profitable." 



BY PERMISSION 



LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF AVOCADO. 



"Yes, very profitable ; but more rests with the man than with the 

 orchard/' ^j^^^ jj .^ju i,e very profitable to 



produce t^e best varieties of this fruit, but it is a question how rapidly 

 the demand win ^^ow."^^^^^_^^j^ Methods of propagation now well 

 understood; market waiting." 



