24 



1917 ANNUAL REPORT 



$249. 73. In the year just past, ending May 10, 1917, the total receipts 

 were $1 121.28 and the total expenditures $710.86 leaving a cash balance 

 on hand of $410.41. The net resources May 10, 1916, were $313.63 

 and May 10, 1917, they are $647.91. 



The Association is thus on a good financial footing, but it must be 

 admitted that the Association has not reached the magnitude that will enable 

 it to take up an advertising campaign such as will soon be needed as our 

 new plantings come into bearing. It is highly important that the mem- 

 bership of the Association be greatly increased if the funds are to be pro- 

 vided to do the work the Association is organized to do. During this meet- 

 ing every effort possible should be made to enlarge our membership. Only 

 by the united support of all growers, can the work of the Association be 

 made fully effective. 



The Association is again under obligation to its members and friends 

 for their hearty co-operation in the fruit exhibit. The excellent exhibit 

 staged in the adjoining hall is an evidence of the extent of this co-operation. 

 As president of the Association, I desire to extend to each exhibitor the 

 thanks of the Association for his kind co-operation. 



We will now proceed to the regular business of the meeting. 



AVOCADO VARIETIES IN FLORIDA 

 By E. D. Vosbury, U. S. Department of Agriculture 



In Florida, as in California, the most important problem before the 

 avocado growers is that of varieties. In each state the extension of plant- 

 ing awaits in large measure the testing of the many varieties now available 

 and the selection therefrom of those half-dozen or so, best suited to rank 

 as the standard commercial sorts. 



West Indian Varieties 



With few exceptions, bearing avocado trees in Florida, both seedling 

 and budded, belong to the so-called West Indian race. Of the many 

 varieties of this race which have already been propagated and named, the 

 most important and the best known variety on the market today is the Trapp, 

 introduced by Mr. George B. Cellon, of Miami, in 1902. It has proven 

 a reliable heavy bearer, and the fruit is good in quality, maturing from 

 October to January after most of the other varieties have gone. The fruit, 

 moreover, has a distinct characteristic shape which has served to identify 

 it on the market where Trapps command a substantial premium over un- 

 known varieties. Of the 500 acres of budded groves in Florida, upward 

 of 90 per cent are Trapp. Other satisfactory West Indian sorts are now 

 available which ripen from July to January. While most of these, includ- 

 ing Trapp, are ideal commercial sorts, they are all somewhat more sus- 

 ceptible to cold than the Mexican lime or lemon guava, so that their culture 

 in this country will doubtless be limited to the best protected sections of 

 south Florida. Within this reasonably safe area, however, there is room 

 for a considerable development and it may be expected that Florida will 

 ship in the near future large quantities of avocados of the West Indian 

 varieties from July to January. 



Guatemalan Varieties 



Guatemalan varieties of avocados have recently attracted great in- 

 terest in Florida on account of their late season of maturity and superior 



