CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



47 



meed of honor to the pioneers, nurserymen, scientists and growers, the 

 great majority of whom are still our fellow laborers in this fascinating 

 field. 



At the second semi-annual meeting held at Blanchard Hall, Los 

 Angeles, April 29th, 1916, fewer papers were presented, and more time 

 left for general discussion. There was a fine exhibit of trees and fruit, 

 the thick-skinned varieties being more in evidence than at the preceding 

 meeting. Prof. Jaffa and his assistants submitted the results of laboratory 

 investigation of the mineral elements of the avocado and avocado by- 

 products, the latter contemplating over-production and the use of waste 

 avocados. Mr. C. P. Taft presented a readable and witty paper on the 

 market value of the avocado, defending present high prices on the basis 

 of the law of supply and demand. Under the caption "From Seedtime 

 to Harvest" Mr. T. U. Barber presented the results of his experience in 

 selection of seed, seed-planting, transplanting seedlings, budding, cultiva- 

 tion, fertilization and pruning. This paper is so full of valuable informa- 

 tion and suggestion that it might well be printed as a primer for beginners. 

 Marketing problems were discussed by Mr. Ira C. King of the California 

 Fruit Growers' Exchange. This important subject has been on the program 

 of most of our meetings and has been frequently considered by your Board 

 of Directors. With the increase of fruit it will soon call for some definite 

 co-operative action. Our marketing problem is large and complex. It 

 will require for its solution the best brains we can command. And we 

 are fortunate in having among our number some experienced shippers of 

 fruit who are acquainted with the ways and means which have brought the 

 California Fruit Growers' Exchange to such a high state of efficiency. 

 We must extend our campaign of advertising in order to introduce this 

 little-known fruit to the people and create an appetite for it. We must teach 

 the hotels, restaurants and public how to select good fruit and how to 

 prepare it attractively. We must discourage producers and sellers from 

 offering inferior stuff which may be of temporary benefit to the producer 

 or seller and of lasting injury to the industry. We must study the best 

 methods of packing and shipping so that the fruit may be put upon the 

 market in sound and attractive condition. It is none too early to get busy — 

 far more busy than we have been — upon these problems, for appeals have 

 begun to reach the Association this year from producers who seek our 

 assistance in the marketing of their crop. The revised By-Laws provide 

 that "It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors when the development 

 of the industry makes it desirable and necessary, to provide for the co- 

 operative marketing and distribution of the avocado crop." Barring 

 excessive heat or cold, or other unfavorable dispensation of nature, the 

 time is fast approaching when we shall need a co-operative organization to 

 care for this important matter. 



The third semi-annual meeting held at the Maryland Hotel, San 

 Diego, October 30th and 3 1 st, 1916, was all that a convention should be. 

 For the first time we gathered in a meeting place free from noise where 

 the words of the speakers and the ensuing discussions could all be heard 

 and be heard by all. The exhibit of fruit and nursery stock was staged in 

 a separate room which was locked to prevent distraction during the meeting 

 and on the ground floor where it attracted the attention of the public and 

 contained the largest and finest display yet seen of both the thin-skinned 



