CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



49 



many of the plants turn yellow and die. We have not as yet dis- 

 covered the cause of this trouble. It seems to be a constitutional 

 weakness, and it may be very difficult to remedy. When top- 

 worked on old stumps these varieties usually grow well and do not 

 show the tendency to die which the young budded trees do. 



All of these varieties, and others, Avill be found described in 

 the accompanying list. This list is intended to include practically 

 all the varieties which have been propagated in California since the 

 inception of the industry some five or six years ago. In compiling- 

 it, an effort has been made to have the spelling of the varietal 

 names accurate and to bring the nomenclature into accord with the 

 rules of the American Pomological Society, the standard in such 

 matters. The descriptions are designed to convey, in as few words 

 as possible, an accurate idea of the important characteristics of the 

 fruit, as well as the habit of growth, productiveness and hardiness 

 of the tree. Synonyms, where there are any, are given immediately 

 after the variety name, following which is the name of the town 

 or district where the variety originated, and the year when it was 

 first propagated by budding or grafting. These dates may not be 

 absolutely correct in every instance, but they will serve to show 

 approximately when the A-ariety came into existence as a horticul- 

 tural form. This list was submitted for criticism to Edwin G. Hart, 

 C. P. Taft, W. A. Spinks and D. W. CooHdge, directors of this as- 

 sociation, and to T. U. Barber of Hollywood. 



KEY TO THE TYPES. 

 Mexican Type 



A. Leaves usually anise-scented ; skin of fruit rarely thicker 

 than that of an apple. 



Guatemalan Type 



AA. Leaves not anise-scented ; skin of fruit thick. 



B. Surface of fruit slightly roughened to warty, dark green 

 or dark purple in color; skin 1-16 to H-inch thick, often coarsely 

 granular and woody ; seed coats thin, both adhering closely to the 

 seed ; cotyledons nearly smooth. 



West India Type 

 BB. Surface of fruit smooth or nearly so, light green, yellow- 

 ish, or maroon in color ; skin rarely as much as 1-16 inch thick, 

 pliable and leathery ; seed coats thicker, rarely closely attached to 

 the seed, frequently distinct with the outer one adhering to the wall 

 of the seed cavity, the inner one loosely surrounding the seed ; 

 cotyledons usually rough. 



