46 



ANNUAL REPORT 1919 AND 1920 



It seems to me it will be very desirable that, in so far as possible, performance 

 records be secured according to a uniform plan. This uniformity will enable the 

 Association to more easily and fully tabulate, digest, and study the information 

 contained in these records in order that the knowledge thus acquired be made avail- 

 able for the benefit of the industry as a whole. 



The third step in securing individual avocado tree records is the work of 

 recording the yield of the trees, and other notes as to their behavior. The blank 

 form of recording these data, shown below, is largely self-explanatory as to the 

 important steps in recording the information. Of course it is essential to record the 

 name of the grower, his address, the year during which the records are secured, the 

 number of the variety or strain, the age of the tree, whether it is a budded or seed- 

 ling tree, and the individual tree number. Not one item in this list can be safely 

 left out. Any additional information which will be helpful in a future considera- 

 tion of the performance record should be written in on. the form. 



THE CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



INDIVIDUAI, TREE PERFORMANCE RECORD 

 Grower Address Plat Row Tree 



Year Variety Age of Tree Kind of Tree„. 



Date of Pick 



No. of Fruits 



Wt. of Fruits 



Notes 



























Total 









This blank can be extended to suit any number of records 



The date of each pick is important in that these dates will give definite in- 

 formation as to the season of production of mature fruits for the individual tree. 



TTie number of fruits picked and their weight gives the most important in- 

 formation to be secured. From the number and weight of the fruits the yield of 

 the trees can be definitely ascertained with some idea of the size and value of the 

 fruits. This information is of primary importance in considering the commercial 

 value of any individual tree. If possible, it is suggested that if marked variation in 

 size of the fruits exists the weight of several of the largest and some of the small- 

 est fruits be obtained in order to secure and record some definite information upon 

 this condition. Other information which vnW aid in interpreting the performance 

 records can usually be secured and recorded under the heading of notes. These 

 notes may include temperature or wind records, kind, extent and nature of blem- 

 ishes, or other explanatory descriptions of tree and fruit characteristics and con- 

 ditions. 



From experience gained in securing citrus tree records we suggest that field 

 notes be taken with a medium or hard grade of lead pencil. Indelible pencil marks 

 are likely to run and blur when accidentally moistened. A system of caring for 

 the records which will prevent, so far as possible, loss from fire, accidental disap- 

 pearance, theft, and other causes of loss must be used. One method of accom- 

 plishing this is to make duplicate copies of each record, one to be retained by the 

 grower, and the other to be filed with the avocado association or other institution. 



