﻿APRIL, 1 TO JUNE 30, 1917. 67 



44784. Campomanesia fenzliana (Berg.) Glaziou. Myrtaceae. 



Guabiroba. 



From Lavras, Minas Geraes, Brazil. Presented by Mr. B. H. Hunnicutt, 

 director, Escola Agricola de Lavras. Received May 18, 1917. 



"A small Brazilian tree with foliage remarkably similar to that of some of 

 the European oaks. It is usually 20 to 25 feet in height, though occasionally 

 taller. The fruits greatly resemble small guavas, being orange-yellow, oblate 

 in form, and up to an inch in diameter. The skin is thin and incloses a layer 

 of granular, light yellow pulp which has a flavor somewhat stronger than 

 that of the guava. The fruits are used principally for making jams and 

 jellies. The tree should prove suitable for southern California and southern 

 Florida." (Note of Dorsett, Shamel, and Popenoe.) 



See also S. P. I. Nos. 37834 and 44086 for previous introductions. 



44785. Persea Americana Mill. Lauracese. Avocado. 

 (P. graiissima Gaertn. f.) 



From Guatemala. Bud wood collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, agricultural 

 explorer. Received June 8, 1917. 



"(Nos. 132, 213. Avocado No. 12.) Pankay. This variety has been included 

 in the set primarily for its probable hardiness. The parent tree is growing at 

 an altitude of 8,500 feet, which is more than a thousand feet above the zone in 

 which citrus trees are seen in Guatemala. Avocados are rarely found at this 

 altitude. Several other avocado trees in the same town (Totonicapam) had 

 been badly injured by a recent frost at the time Pankay was selected, but 

 this variety had escaped practically untouched. How much may be due to 

 situation or other circumstances, however, is not known, and not too much 

 confidence should be placed in the superior hardiness of this variety until it 

 has been thoroughly tested in Florida and California. Since, in addition to its 

 probable hardiness, it is a fruit of very good quality, it can be strongly recom- 

 mended for trial in the United States. 



" The parent tree is growing in the patio of Jesusa v. de Carney, corner of 

 Calle Cabanas and 10a Avenida Norte, Totonicapam. The altitude of this town 

 is approximately 8,500 feet, perhaps a little higher. The situation is some- 

 what sheltered, since the tree stands in the patio of a house close to the north 

 wall. Since the top of the tree, however, extends 10 feet or more above the 

 roof of the house, the protection can not be of great importance, except from 

 one point of view: The tree may have been effectively protected when young, 

 being thus enabled to develop uninjured during the first few years of its 

 growth, after which it was better able to withstand severe frosts. The age of 

 the tree is said to be about 25 years; it stands 40 feet high, with a broadly 

 oval, dense crown, the top of which has been cut out to avoid danger of its 

 breaking in high wind and falling upon the tile roof of the house. The trunk 

 is about 20 inches thick at the base, dividing 8 feet from the ground to form 

 two main branches, which give off secondary branches at 20 feet from the 

 ground. While the tree appears to be vigorous and hardy, it may be found 

 somewhat difficult to propagate, as it does not make the best type of bud wood. 

 The eyes are not plump, but somewhat slender, with the outer bud scales fall- 

 ing early, and the bud itself shows a tendency to fall at an early stage. The 

 wood seems to be rather brittle. 



" The flowering season is late April and May. The tree is quite productive, 

 bearing its fruits often in clusters. It produced a good crop from the 1915 

 blooms and another good one from the 1916 blooms. Owing to the great eleva- 



