FORMS AND VARIETIES. 29 



particular sorts by bud propagation that varieties in the pomological 

 sense have not yet found a place in literature. La Sagra' a gives the 

 following classification, based upon the characters of the fruit: 



The aguacate is, without doubt, one of the most valuable fruit trees of South 

 America. The fruit is in form of a large pear, without any depression at the head. 



The skin is a yellowish green or a pale violet color, and smooth. The substance 

 of the fruit, when well matured, is nearly white and has a soft, oily consistency 

 and a slightly sweet taste, somewhat sugary. It is eaten in its natural state and also 

 seasoned in various manners, nearly always with a little salt. The animals devour 

 it eagerly. 



The tree blossoms in April and the fruit matures in July and August. The varie-. 

 ties which are cultivated in Cuba are — 



1. The violet color, which is nearly round in shape. 



2. The large green, round, with the inside yellowish and having the consistency 

 of bread. 



3. The large yellow, similar to a large pear. 



4. The long green. 



The maturity of the fruit is known when the seed which it contains becomes 

 loosened from the substance of the fruit and rattles when it is shaken. & 



In order to obtain good trees one must sow the seed in the place where it will 

 remain permanent, in holes of 3 feet in dimension in every direction, which are 

 filled with good soil. 



These trees ordinarily bear fruit from the fifth year and live to about their 

 eightieth year. They are planted in form of beautiful groves and walks about the 

 dwellings of the inhabitants, and as their growth is very vigorous they soon take 

 strength from neighboring trees. Their flowers yield a very agreeable perfume. 



Compare the description of plates, page 36, and figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 

 with the above description. 



Meissner c recognizes several botanical varieties based upon the 

 shape and size of the leaves. Vulgaris has leaves " 3-4 poll" by 

 "li poll;" OMonga, "4-9 poll "by " f-2 poll;" Macrophylla, " 6-9 

 poll "by u 3!-4fpoll." 



THE MEXICAN AVOCADO. 



There is a small-fruited form of avocado which was introduced in 

 1893 from Mexico (see fig. 9, B) in the form of seeds by the Divi- 

 sion of Pomology of the Department of Agriculture, to which no ref- 

 erence is made in the literature examined, and no specimens of this 

 form were found in the herbaria visited. It is regarded in Mexico 

 as more frost resistant than the common form found in Florida and 

 the West Indies, but is not considered as valuable as the larger fruited 

 varieties where the latter may be grown successfully. Its fruit is 

 pear-shaped, or bottle-necked, about the size of a hen's egg, usually 

 of a dull blackish or bluish color. The skin of the fruit is thin and 

 leathery. The seed is small, conical, usually about an inch in diameter. 



"Translation from Historia Fisica de Cuba (1845), Vol. XI, p. 186. 



& Correct for some varieties only.— P. H. R. 



^Martius, Flora Brasiliensis, Vol. V, pt. 2, fasc. 41, p. 159. 



