98 



1916 ANNUAL REPORT 



Picture Taken Oct. 1, 1915 Picture Taken Aug. 6, 1916 



Figure 10.— Growth of tree of the Queen avocado; budded Julv 2, 1914; trans- 

 planted March 10, 1915. 



To me the most important methods to follow are: 



First: To keep the soil damp not wet with frequent irrigations. 



Second: Not to cultivate in such a manner as to disturb the roots, 

 or, better still use a permanent low cover crop or mulch. 



Third: To pinch back frequently the lower branches so as to 

 promote growth of the upper ones. Eventually to remove the lower 

 limbs, so that when the tree is ten or fifteen years old the lowest branch 

 will be at least three feet from the ground. 



FRUITING HABITS OF BUDDED TREES OF THE DIFFERENT 

 AVOCADO VARIETIES 

 By T. U. Barber, Puente, California. 



Fruiting records and the different growth characteristics of budded 

 avocado trees planted throughout California are of considerable import- 

 ance to the growers. Through careful study of such records and the con- 

 sequent selection of varieties, the value of future plantings can be 

 greatly increased. 



Varieties such as Dickey, Royal, Murrieta, and Colorado will 

 be eliminated as the records will show that over seventy-five per cent 

 of the budded trees have died within two years and that only a very 

 few of the remaining trees are in a healthy condition. 



As time passes, it is quite probable that certain varieties will be 

 shown to be far better suited to one district than to another, and also 

 that the season of fruiting may change one or more months. Such 

 facts as these are all necessary to the best development of the industry. 



Up to the present time, only a comparatively small number of 



