178 



1916 ANNUAL REPORT 



The fruits vary considerably in size weighing generally from 9 to 14 

 ounces, and in shape range from almost spherical to quite long necked. 

 The skin is tough and leathery but of course not so thick nor so brittle 

 as in the Guatemalan varieties. However it is more attractive, being 

 smooth, yellowish green, and capable of taking a polish. 



The flesh is almost always yellowish, rich, and oily. Very rarely is 

 it watery or of poor flavor. The seeds are more frequently than not 

 loose in the cavity, and are often unnecessarily large. Government 

 Horticulturists consider the better Porto Rican varieties to be fully the 

 equal, if not the superior, of any they have known in many years experi- 

 ence in Cuba, Hawaii, etc. 



The trees are given no attention whatever but successfully shift for 

 themselves even under quite dissimilar conditions. There are places, how- 

 ever, as at the Experiment Station at Mayaguez where the soil is very 

 heavy and poorly drained, and the avocado will not grow even with 

 exceptional attention. 



The fruit is consumed locally and may be had in the markets from 

 late June until December. From August until October it is most plenti- 

 ful and sells for one to two cents each. Late in October it is selling for 

 as low as 3c in Ponce, 6c to 7c in Mayaguez, and up to 10c each in San 

 Juan. With a million and a quarter people on the Island and every one 

 of them appreciating the fruit, there will be some local demand for out 

 of season fruit at good prices once the Guatemalan type begins to bear 

 here. 



The marketing in the north of seedling avocados from Rorto Rico 

 has not yet been done with entire success. Many have shipped a few 

 boxes, and even shipped on several occasions, but none have been justified 

 in making regular shipments through the season, though fruit sells for 

 35c and 50c in New York compared with Ic and 2c in San Juan. 



There is a general belief among the fruit growers of the Island that 

 avocados will not stand shipment. A few years ago a prominent New 

 York fancy fruit house sent a man here to buy and ship them avocados. 

 He shipped large quantities, — and lost it all in transit. Investigation 

 shows he bought the fruit delivered in town and that it had been shaken, 

 and clubbed from the tree, as well as bruised in the handling. Many well 

 informed citrus and pineapple growers have had similar results even 

 after careful picking, and packing. Most of them have packed in orange 

 or other deep boxes where the several layers of fruit could mash each 

 other. 



The successful shippers have not only picked and handled the 

 avocados carefully, but have packed them in single layer boxes, as tomato 

 crates, and with a little excelsior to prevent movement. By so packing, 

 repeated shipments have been made without any loss whatever. It has 

 been demonstrated that the fruit will carry satisfactorily to market if 

 properly packed. 



Probably most of the avocados shipped north from Porto Rico have 

 arrived showing heavy loss; and the fancy fruit houses do not encourage 

 further shipments. They have even discouraged shipments on consign- 

 ment from those who have demonstrated their ability to deliver the fruit 



