84 



1917 ANNUAL REPORT 



uct of these several hundred trees. They were seedHngs, with long thorns, 

 and the fruit had a rough skin and were full of seeds, but they were sweet 

 as to pulp. We have found out both how and where to market these and 

 now we ship 40,000 carloads of citrus fruit each year. 



Remembering this remarkable development, it seemed to me that I 

 should join gentlemen like yourselves who have devoted time and care to 

 the development of the avocado, and do my bit toward testing the tree as a 

 business proposition. My experiment is on a hillside, part of which is very 

 steep, and if it proves a success in every way it will demonstrate the in- 

 creased value of a large acreage of somewhat similar ground. If for any 

 reason, it should prove a failure, it would be a warning to some prospec- 

 tive growers to try other means. 



It has been stated that the banana will produce more food per acre 

 than any other vegetable grown. My opinion is that the avocado, on ac- 

 count of the richness of its pulp, will prove better than the banana in this 

 respect. When, in about four or five years, we have a production suffi- 

 ciently large to need care and attention in marketing, one more man to 

 assist in this might be of value to you. My hopes lie in this direction. 



So much from a utilitarian standpoint. Now allow me a little in the 

 way of sentiment. The avocado exceeds in the beauty of its growth almost 

 all trees. To have your Mexican varieties budded by an expert and to 

 watch the development, and care for the tree during the change that it 

 makes to one of the better varieties, is a joy to any lover of nature. 



Also, if I may be allowed further, what I may call personal mention, 

 I am under obligation to my nephew, the late Mr. Habersham, of Holly- 

 wood, for introducing me first to this beautiful tree. He planted a number 

 of seeds, given to him by Mr. John Murrieta, and from these seeds he 

 brought almost to maturity a number of trees, two of which have proved 

 famous, but neither of which bears his name. I would be glad if I could 

 do something to repay his memory for the pleasure that I have derived 

 from my acquaintance with the tree. 



Having worked more than fifty years in the city of "Day by Day," 

 in the land of "All the Time," I hope you gentlemen who have waited 

 years and years for the fruition of your hopes in your avocados planted 

 from seed, will not grudge me a trip in my mind to the "City of Some- 

 time," in the "Land of Yet to Come," and following Mr. Wright's alle- 

 gory, let me go there and meet the King of that country, "Looking Ahead," 

 and his Queen "Anticipation," and seek an introduction to their two most 

 beautiful daughters, "Fancy" and "Imagination," who will take me into 

 the temple, whose dome blazes with a ruby flame and which is sacred to 

 the God "It Might Be." I will make an offering on his altar, and he will 

 give me an avocado seed, which I will plant close to its shadow, and I will 

 watch the growth and expansion of its leaves, beautiful lustrous green when 

 grown, but catching the glint of the rosy dome above and coming out of 

 the bud like burnished bronze. I will watch its blossoms burst into stars 

 and the fruit glow as great green globes turning to maroon as they ripen. 



It should be perfect in its transmission, in its resistance, in its produc- 

 tion, in its flavor. It should be an ideal tree, and I would name it with 

 the name of my nephew, and send it down to posterity as a blessing to the 

 human race. 



