CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



177 



fornia. The most common insect pest of the species in Hawaii is the 

 avocado Mealy Bug (Pseudococcus nipae). Fortunately it is not difficult 

 to control either by spraying with some of the oil sprays or by the use 

 of natural enemies. Several species of ladybugs help to keep down the 

 numbers of the insect, which fortunately seldom attacks the fruit. This 

 insect is widely distributed, having, been seen by the writer in the West 

 Indies, Florida, and Hawaii. 



Another insect of less importance is a small wood borer, a species of 

 Xyleborus, which penetrates the old wood particularly of trees that are 

 weakened by other causes. These insects may be controlled by keeping 

 up the general vigor of the trees and by the use of a wash on the infested 

 tree trunks and main branches. This wash consists of one gallon of soft 

 soap, three gallons of water and a half pint of carbolic acid. It can be 

 easily applied with a whitewash brush. 



There is a disease caused by a species of the fungus Gloeosporium 

 which is known to exist in Porto Rico, Cuba, Florida, Hawaii and in 

 other parts of the tropics. Varying results have been reported in the 

 treatment of the disease with fungicides, probably due to the varying 

 weather conditions where it has been tried. It is a difficult matter to 

 make a fungicide adhere to the foliage in many parts of the tropics 

 where showers are frequent. 



Any who may be interested in the further details of the experimental 

 work with the avocado carried on at the Hawaii Experiment Station 

 may secure a copy of Bulletin No. 25, on application to the U. S. 

 Experiment Station, Honolulu, Hawaii. 



AVOCADO GROWING IN PORTO RICO 

 By Tracy Bartholomew, Manager of The Rico Tropical Fruit Co. 

 Garrochales, Porto Rico. 



The avocado or aguacate is cultivated generally throughout the island 

 of Porto Rico. The fruits are of good quality and are highly esteemed 

 by all. Regular shipments to northern markets are not yet being made, 

 nor are there yet any bearing trees in orchard form plantings. But the 

 natural and political conditions are so peculiarly advantageous that a very 

 profitable future for the avocado industry is assured. 



The avocado is perfectly at home in Porto Rico and thirves in the 

 dooryards and fence corners of rich and poor alike. The fruit is appre- 

 ciated both as a delicacy and as a substantial food, and is an important 

 item of diet. 



The bearing trees are all seedlings, of the South American or West 

 Indian type, flowering in the spring and fruiting in the fall months. 

 They are vigorous, precocious, and prolific, and seem to be remarkably 

 free from serious diseases and insect pests. The wood, however, is 

 quite brittle and even large branches are frequently broken off by winds 

 that would not bother most trees. Furthermore the heart wood is quite 

 soft and rapidly decays upon exposure. In windswept localities avocado 

 trees are not found in Porto Rico. 



