38 



ANNUAL REPORT 1918 AND 1919 



science have treated the Cahfornia Avocado Association as a co-ordinate 

 interest, in matters pertaining to the avocado. Signal examples of their 

 favor have been shown us. Recently, and most notably, on the part of the 

 Department at Washington, this Association has been permitted to publish 

 in its year book, just off the press, a condensation of Explorer Wilson 

 Popenoe's report to the government on his sixteen months successful study 

 of the avocado in Guatemala. We are deeply appreciative of Mr. Fair- 

 child's fine feelings of generosity in thus trusting us with this intensely inter- 

 esting document, so much earlier than his own chosen time for its promulga- 

 tion. Its presence in the book will justify any avocado man or woman in 

 California, or Florida, to buy, beg, borrow, or pilfer from Dr. Webber, 

 any copy of it he may have left. 



The department has, also, recently shown its further favor and con- 

 fidence by entrusting some of its members with the propagation of sets of 

 the varieties of avocados secured by Mr. Wilson Popenoe in Guatemala. 



All of which confidence in our Association springs from that fidelity 

 to its sacred purpose of improvement 



In the lovely land of California, where celestial and terrestrial joys 

 and creature comforts crowd our lives, and overflow to other climes, our 

 gladdened eyes see rapidly rising this sunlit Temple of the Avocado. Let 

 the offerings we bring there be ever of the purest and best, for the health 

 and happiness of our fellow beings, and for the good name of the Califor- 

 nia avocado, to which, in old time language, "We pledge our lives, our 

 fortunes and our sacred honor.*' 



CHARLES SILENT— AN APPRECIATION 

 Prepared at the Request of the Board of Directors 

 By F. O. Popenoe of Altadena 



Judge Charles Silent was regarded by the members of this associa- 

 tion as a solid, cornerstone friend of the avocado industry. He believed in 

 its great future. He was convinced of the value of the avocado as a food 

 to nourish generations yet unborn. His love of horticulture and his in- 

 stinctive interests in all that might bless mankind made him early realize 

 the value of the growing industry. 



In turning his attention to the study and investigation of its possibili- 

 ties, the natural tendency of his generous nature came into full play, leading 

 him to give liberally of his time, talent and money in co-operation with the 

 efforts of the association to cultivate the understanding of the public. Each 

 member of the board of directors soon came to regard him not only as the 

 friend of the avocado, but as a personal friend as well. And I am sure 

 the members of the board can never forget the pilgrimages made to his 

 beautiful foothill home, the Rancho del Aliso, near Glendora. These 

 pilgrimages were red letter days to everyone privileged to make them. 



At board meetings and at many other times the Judge's counsel was 

 sought and always freely given. 



Beyond his interest in helping to start the young and growing avocado 

 industry, the crowning purpose of Judge Silent' s life was the perfect de- 

 velopment of Rancho del Aliso. Here, it may be said, was his ultimate 



