CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



43 



follow up every detail. Such men as Mr. Taft, Mr. Popenoe, Mr. Spinks, 

 Mr. Walker, Mr. Wagner, and a dozen other men, whose names I might 

 call in connection with this industry, who have planted and grown new 

 seedling varieties, or imported valuable new sorts, are historical char- 

 acters. I wonder if we all realize the importance of this fact. We 

 have not yet reached the point in the development of American history 

 where we are ready to recognize properly agricultural achievement. It 

 is just such work as these men are doing that is going to bring this 

 recognition. It is fortunate that we have certain men in various parts 

 of the country who are gaining recognition in this way. For instance, 

 I always think of one or two men who stand out in connection with 

 the corn industry, as for example, Mr. Reed of Illinois, who bred Reed's 

 Yellow Dent corn, and Mr. Riley of Indiana, who bred the Boone 

 County White corn. If some of us can add as much to the world's in- 

 dustries as these men added, we shall be fortunate indeed. The work 

 of such men as Riley and Reed should be recorded in the pages of our 

 history, and the time is coming shortly when the achievements of some 

 of our members who are laying the foundation of a new industry, will 

 receive their proper recognition in the history of the industrial develop- 

 ment of California. They are adding something to improve the general 

 welfare, and there is no higher aim. 



I consider that we are an especially fortunate people, in having 

 to deal Math an industry just starting. Almost everything remains yet 

 to be done, and it should be the business of every one of us to achieve 

 something for the general good of the industry. There is inspira- 

 tion in the thought of achievement, and so when I see the enthusiasm 

 of this convention I think there is a good reason for it. Every grower of 

 an avocado grove owes it to the industry and to himself to take an active 

 part in the study of the industry. No man is so humble or so poorly edu- 

 cated but that he can have a place in this development. We desire knowl- 

 edge of every detail of the industry, and to add to our knowledge at the 

 present time all a grower is required to do is to keep a careful record 

 of the different methods he pursues in caring for his grove, and observe 

 and report on the results. 



The study of varieties will for a number of years be our most im- 

 portant problem. It is not enough to produce fruit for market. We 

 must produce fruit that will extend the market. Only by the production 

 of the best fruit can the industry be extended to the proportions we 

 all conceive as the future development. We are budding groves to 

 various varieties today that we may be compelled to discard within 

 two years. Building up a budded grove is an expensive undertaking, 

 and it is thus of the highest importance that we reach an understanding 

 at the earliest possible date of what varieties are satisfactory. 



The grower must become a student of varieties, noting every char- 

 acteristic, good or bad, of the various varieties he is growing. We 

 should have no pet varieties but consider all varieties on the basis of 

 their intrinsic qualities, as ready to recognize a bad quality as a good 

 one. 



