48 



ANNUAL REPORT 1919 AND 1920 



great value in the successful marketing of the future commercial crops. It seems 

 to me that there is something of a relation, in this problem, to the picking of 

 Bartlett pears and their ripening during packing, shipment, storage, and display 

 for sale. Or, perhaps, a more nearly related condition occurs in the picking and 

 handling of other crops, as, for example, the cantaloupe. In any event I have 

 confidence that the problems connected with the picking, handling, and marketing 

 of the avocado will be solved as they have been for other fruit crops. If infor- 

 mation in regard to these matters is collected as the industry grows it seems 

 logical that the problems can be more easily met as they arise than if pains are not 

 taken to secure such information. 



Another point which occurs to me is that a sharp lookout should be main- 

 tained as to the variability of the fruits on the same tree. Any tendency to vari- 

 ability of fruits in size, shape or other characteristics should be recorded in the 

 performance record notes. This information may prove of value in determining 

 the kind of bud wood best adapted for propagation. It may also assist in avoiding 

 the propagation of ever-sporting varieties or strains. In other words it may be 

 of great value in working out improved methods of propagation. 



It seems, from other related experience, that regular bearing varieties and 

 strains are to be preferred to alternate or irregular bearing ones. While this con- 

 dition is likely to be influenced in a great degree by climatic conditions such as 

 extremes of temperature or humidity, and by cultural practices such as fertilization, 

 cultivation, pruning and thinning, it is also probable that the tendencies of regular 

 bearing and of irregular bearing are more or less inherent. If this is the case 

 then performance records may prove to be very useful in the selection for propa- 

 gation of regular bearing strains or those having a tendency to produce moderate 

 crops regularly each normal year instead of large crops one year and small crops 

 the following season. 



SELECTION OF PARENT TREES 



The selection of parent trees as sources of bud wood for propagation should 

 be based, if possible, upon adequate performance records and with that intimate 

 tree know' ■'^e gained through the systematic study of the tree and its fruits. In 

 the early sta^ cf an industry, where no such information is available, there is 

 usually Httle selection of parent trees as there are few trees from which to select. 

 There are now large numbers of avocado trees of many varieties coming into 

 fruiting in California. If adequate individual tree records are secured from this 

 time on the selection of parent trees for propagation can be made intelligently and 

 more rafdy than where such work is left to individual recollections which are 

 very uncertain at best, and to impressions which are likely to be affected more or 

 less by personal bias or prejudice. Furthermore, parent trees are likely to be 

 selected on the basis of some one season's behavior, as when the trees have a large 

 crop, then the next season will show these trees to be almost barren. I maintain 

 that performiance records are the best means for studying the relative behavior 

 of trees and of their comparative value for commercial propagation. In the experi- 

 mental stage it is usually desirable to propagate almost everything available. 

 When the propagations come to be used commercially it is important that only 

 those varieties and strains be propagated which will meet the test of climatic, soil, 

 cultural, and marketing conditions. The elements of success in avocado growing 

 commercially will include regular production of crops which can be picked, 

 handled, packed, shipped, distributed, marketed, and reach the consumer in good 

 eating condition. The varieties adapted for this purpose, the best methods for 

 their culture, the location of the orchards, and all other conditions favorable for 



