24 



ANNUAL REPORT 1919 AND 1920 



Some growers will be inclined at first to think that their experience is con- 

 trary to this and that the small tree is more likely to be fruitful, while the largest 

 trees are likely to spend their energy in vegetative growth. They must remember 

 that this experience was gained before buds of selected type were used. Mr. 

 Shamel has demonstrated that some types of our varieties tend to produce rapid 

 growth and little fruit while others produce good growth and are fruitful. The 

 results the writer is explaining, however, were obtained with the use of buds taken 

 from the best fruiting types and it is not likely that this typ& will be changed mate- 

 rially by the stock other than in size of growth. 



If the results of these experiments are correctly interpreted by the writer, it 

 means that our nursery methods in citrus propagation must be materially changed. 



( 1 ) We must no longer grow merely sour stock or sweet stock and the like. 

 The process must be carried farther and good stock varieties of sour orange and 

 sweet orange must be discovered and named as stock varieties, and every nursery- 

 man should then use seeds from these varieties known to produce good stocks. 



(2) Good policy wall doubtless dictate that all small seedlings be dis- 

 carded when transplanting from the seed bed into the nursery. 



(3) In budding a nursery no inferior seedlings found in the nursery should 

 be budded. Doubtless hereafter we should carefully inspect the seedlings just 

 before budding and cut out all inferior ones to save the expense of budding them. 



(4) When the budded trees reach the age for transplanting into the per- 

 manent orchard only the good, vigorous, growing ones should be used. 



The writer assumes that naturally now only buds from trees of known good 

 record and of standard type will be used in propagation. This is already recog- 

 nized as the only correct and safe policy. 



In a long time crop, like citrus fruits, too much care cannot be used in the 

 beginning to insure that the trees planted are worthy of the effort and expense. 

 How much this will mean in the improvement of our citrus orchards cannot now 

 be foretold. That a change in our nursery methods has become necessary I think 

 few will be inclined to question. 



This is the first time this material has been presented before a public audience. 

 I was anxious to place it before avocado growers because the principle doubtless 

 applies equally well to the avocado and to the other fruits that are budded and 

 grafted. The avocado industry is just starting. The great avocado groves of the 

 future are yet to be planted. The trees grow large and not many are required 

 to plant an acre. These trees should all be from selected buds and on selected 

 stocks. I have no doubt but that the stock is just as important an element in suc- 

 cess as the bud. No factor can be neglected. You must have good varieties, good 

 buds, good stocks, good soil, good culture, good packing to secure good money. 

 It's a good industry. 



ATLIXCO 



WILSON POPENOE. 

 Agricultural Explorer, U. S. Department of Agriculture* 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



**It was cold this morning when I arose in Puebla" — thus runs the entry 

 in my Field Journal under date of December 18, 1918 — "and as I came down 



*The investigations of which this paper is a report were conducted on behalf of the 

 College of Agriculture, University of California. For assistance in planning and carrying 

 out the trip to Atlixco I am greatly indebted to Rev. F. F. Wolfe of the Methodist Mission 

 In Puebla. 



