CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



85 



per cent fat. There is some fibre but not enough to be objectionable. 

 The size was a disappointment. Last year's report of an average weight 

 of three-quarters of a pound was not confirmed. One or two out of the 

 fifteen reached three-quartrs, but others only 6 ounces and the average did 

 not exceed 8 to 10 ounces* The tree is very hardy, very precocious, and 

 very prolific. 



The same is true of the Fuerte tree and the Fuerte fruit reaches a 

 more satisfactory size, averaging, as stated, from 10'/2 to 12 J/2 ounces. 

 It ranged in a five dozen shipment from an 8% ounce average, to an 1 8 

 ounce fruit, the largest of the season. A specimen under my observation, 

 picked February 9, weighed 1 7 ounces and its seed lYl ounces. Ship- 

 ments of the Fuerte were made regularly from January 1st to March 15th 

 and a few until April 1 7th. 



A striking variation in shape and size of fruit on the same tree has 

 been found in this variety, even round fruit together with the usual obovate 

 form, but it is desired to have it clearly understood that no such finding of 

 round fruit is general, it having occurred only on three trees. 



The fruit is green in color, with a very high oil content, one analysis 

 shows 25.32 per cent of oil and another is still higher. 



A wide range of planting distances has been proposed, at which to 

 start an avocado orchard, ranging from 1 6!/2 to 60 feet, together with 

 various plans for interplanting and subsequent removal of interset trees. 



Let me call your attention to a simple method, which is not an untried 

 theory — but which I have already put into practice in an olive grove and 

 found satisfactory. It saves any need of interplanting and thereby mixing 

 in the same row trees that may gain by being treated differently. 



Start the orchard by planting the trees 20 feet square, having at 

 least two rows of the same kind so as never to lose the variety when 

 thinning out trees to wider distances. When they crowd at 20 feet, take 

 out every alternate diagonal row, which will leave the trees in squares, 

 forty feet apart, with one in the center of each square, which equals as 

 many trees to the acre as if they were planted 28 feet square. 



Whenever they crowd again, if they do, take the center tree out of 

 each square, the remaining trees will then stand 40 feet apart each way, 

 which ought to be ample if we aim to keep our trees under control. If one 

 wishes the final distance apart of the trees in a grove to be greater, simply 

 increase the starting distance of the planting in proportion and have the 

 final distances whatever may be desired. 



THE AVOCADO IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN 

 CALIFORNIA 



By Prof. I. J. Condit, College of Agriculture, Berkeley 



Avocado culture in central and northern California and in the coast 

 valleys is still more or less in the experimental stage, although the success 

 of small plantings in many sections is encouraging and conducive to further 

 and more extensive trials. Some of the experiences of growers in a few 

 widely separated districts may be of interest. 



The presence of large seedling trees of the Mexican type, ten years 

 old or more, at Visalia, Los Gatos, Berkeley, Napa Soda Springs, and 

 Youngville, and two of the Guatemalan type at San Luis Obispo, was 



