58 



ANNUAL REPORT 1919 AND 1920 



the six basket crate according to the dimensions given in Specifications for Con- 

 tainer for Fruits and Vegetables and Loading Rules of the United States Railroad 

 Administration, also of the four basket crate, largely used in this State, and have 

 placed them in the Exhibit for your inspection. We have also placed in the 

 Exhibit samples of small crates as made by Mr. B. H. Sharpless, Santa Ana. 

 Now is the time to take action upon the adoption of a standard carrier vy^hen the 

 avocado production in California is relatively light. 



3. Stud^ of Varieties: The Committee on Classification of Varieties 

 has met on the third Tuesday of each month to consider the merits of new vari- 

 eties of avocados, and also to consider any additional data relative to any of the 

 eight varieties already recom.mended. The work has been done chiefly by 

 Messrs. Adams, Barber and Hertrich, the other members of the Committee, 

 Messrs. Kinman, Scott, Shamel and Webber, having been so situated that they 

 could not render much effective assistance. The report of the Committee, sub- 

 mitted to the members of the Association at the annual business meeting yesterday 

 will be read this afternoon for your information. 



4. The Avocado for Medicinal Purposes: The proposal to enlist the co- 

 operation of the Rockefeller Institute in investigating uses of the avocado for 

 medicinal purposes was prevented by effects of the war. Meanwhile it has be- 

 come likely that the men and equipment for such research work may be provided 

 in our own state. That the avocado has such uses is indicated by the following 

 testimony from one of our members, "For 35 years, I had been a chronic dys- 

 peptic and up to the time I began eating avocados, I had about made up my 

 mind that there was nothing I could eat without distress. Life was hardly worth 

 while. But, sincerely speaking, I have found in the fruit a substitute for meat and 

 eggs that I relish much more and that agrees with me to such an extent that no 

 other rich foods ever did." 



5. Educational Campaign: Mr. Elliott's address on "Utility and Senti- 

 ment applied to Avocado," and Dr. Hardin's address on "Influence of the Avo- 

 cado Industry on the Individual and the Community," have been reprinted and 

 used in securing new members. The proposed leaflet on "The Avocado as Food," 

 has been postponed until some reliable information can be obtained relative to 

 the use of Avocados as a food for convalescents, and also as a food in the case 

 of certain diseases. "How to Select a Good Avocado and Prepare for the 

 Table," has also been postponed. Mr. Barber's address on "The Avocado from 

 Seed-time to Harvest" is being brought down to date for publication. Several 

 of the directors and members have prepared signed articles for the press, giving 

 the results of experiment and experience and thus helping to counteract some of 

 the misleading information which finds its way into public print. 



Another educational feature worthy of note is an arrangement with the 

 Citrus By-Products Laboratory in Los Angeles, by which all the fruit on one 

 tree of each of the recommended varieties is secured to them for experimental 

 purposes. This Association provides four trees and the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture provides four. In due time Professor Chace, director of the Labora- 

 tory, will give us the benefit of this research work which may lead towards a 

 maturity standard for the avocado. 



6. Visits to Groves: The directors at their own expense of time and 

 money, have devoted a number of days to visiting avocado plantings. The ground 

 covered included the San Fernando Valley, the Whittier district, the Foothill 



