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REPORT OF THE FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING 



climatic endurance of the avocado as a whole in these different 

 regions Avill probably be determined in the next five years. We are, 

 however, confronted with the difficulty that we do not know the 

 effect of our different soils on the avocado, and that some of the 

 first plantings, even if the climatic conditions are favorable, may 

 fail because of soil conditions. Like the orange, the avocado ap- 

 parently thrives well under a very wide range of soil conditions, 

 and it is probable that the climatic conditions will be the principal 

 limiting factor in the spread of the industry. By careful observa- 

 tions of the experimental plantings made by growers, the Univer- 

 sity may be able to assist in more quickly arriving at an under- 

 standing of this problem. 



With the avocado, as with all other fruits, the question of suit- 

 able varieties and root-stocks will probably long remain a puzzling 

 question. An excellent beginning has been made with the variety 

 problem, as we now have about eighty different varieties under 

 trial in the state. In finding the best varieties of any fruit for cul- 

 tivation in a certain section, the first means is through the importa- 

 tion and trial of the known varieties of other regions. This has 

 been done to some extent, but without doubt many varieties that 

 would be of value in California have not yet been imported. In 

 talking with Mexican, Central American and South American trav- 

 elers, I have learned of a number of avocados groAving at high 

 altitudes and said to be very cold-resistant, that we should surely 

 have for trial in California. It is my feeling that every effort should 

 be made to import and test out every promising variety that can 

 be found, and we should urge the Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 through its division of Seed and Plant Introduction, to send ex- 

 plorers to promising regions to get such varieties for us. The 

 Citrus Experiment Station expects to be in position to assist in 

 the trial and study of varieties and expects next year to plant a 

 trial orchard of as many varieties as it is possible to obtain. The 

 studies of Professor Coit and Mr. Condit on varieties and of 

 Professor Jaffa on the chemistry of the different varieties are 

 highly interesting and important in this stage of the industry. 



As an industry develops, imported varieties usually give way 

 to native varieties ; select seedhngs, hybrids, and the like ; of 

 superior quality and better adapted to local conditions. This will 

 probably be the history of the avocado industry, and it is grati- 



