MARKETING. 23 



produced 1 to 12 fruits each; 20 per cent produced over 12 fruits 

 each. 



Considering' only the prolific trees, we find that 8 per cent of the 

 trees produced 66 per cent and that 3 per cent produced 33 per cent 

 of the fruit. 



The nine trees that produced at least a fair crop were of medium 

 size, while the largest and most vigorous trees in every instance bore 

 less than a fair crop. 



The trees referred to above were from specially selected seed, so 

 that it may safely be assumed that they were up to the standard for 

 seedling- orchards of the same type that have received fair attention 

 and are of the same age. Some of the trees that were without fruit 

 this year had a fair crop last } r ear, indicating a tendency on the part 

 of the avocado to fruit in alternate years. The most fruitful trees are 

 only moderately vigorous and of a bushy growth. 



Of the 63 trees that have fruited in the orchard mentioned there 

 arc only 2 which combine good qualities in such a way as to be 

 of special merit. Some trees that bear fine fruits are not prolific; 

 others ripen their fruit at an inopportune time of the } r ear, while still 

 others bear a fair crop at the right time but the fruit is inferior in 

 quality. (See figs. 6, 7, A; 8, and 9.) 



If a census of all the seedling orchards were taken, it is not probable 

 that the general results would be very different, but this is just what 

 should be expected in propagating from seed a species that is so 

 variable as the avocado. 



MARKETING. 

 PICKING. 



The time of ripening of the avocado extends in Florida from the 

 middle of July to December. As now grown, the fruits of a tree do 

 not as a rule mature uniformly, so that in most cases two or more 

 pickings have to be made. The variation in this respect is so much 

 an individual characteristic that the peculiarities of each tree in the 

 case of a seedling orchard, and of each variety if budded, will have to 

 be ascertained by test. The fruit must be removed from the tree 

 while it is still very firm if it is to be shipped to a distant market. 

 For local consumption the crop may be permitted to remain on the 

 tree until a few fruits have fallen. 



In picking, the avocado should be broken off so as to leave a portion 

 of the stem attached to the fruit. If a particular variety does not 

 break properly, an orange clipper or the ordinary pruning shears may 

 be used. If the stem be pulled out of the fruit, as occurs in "drops," 

 there is a strong probability that some of the fruit will be lost from 

 ripe rot in transit, or by softening in the hands of the dealer. 



