100 



1917 ANNUAL REPORT 



of the Board on the question of varieties. Under instruction of President 

 Shedden each variety was taken in turn and each member requested to 

 express his opinion of that variety before the vote was taken. This method 

 took many hours but proved to be an excellent way to bring about the final 

 decisions. It may be of interest to you to know that this report, now known 

 as Circular No. 1 , was passed unanimously by both the Board of Directors 

 and the members of the Committee present. 



In making our decision we did not consider so much the market value 

 of our present production, but endeavored to plan for the future when the 

 greater production will be sent to the markets of our country. 



If we are to establish a famous brand, as the Citrus Exchange has in 

 "Sunkist," it will be necessary to have but few varieties and these of the 

 highest quality. If our varieties increase in number in the future as they 

 have in the past, each being allowed to enter the list unchallenged, we will 

 have great confusion and our fruits will be classed as seedlings, such as the 

 fruit now being shipped to New York and other eastern cities from Cuba 

 and selling in the same markets at a very much lower figure than Trapps 

 from Florida. California is well known for its high standard in fruit pro- 

 duction, and we are sure this Association wishes to do its part in upholding 

 this reputation. By co-operation we can and will furnish a continuous 

 supply of named and branded fruits to all our markets, a product we can 

 guarantee and of which we may be proud. 



With approximately 180 listed varieties, California has been abso- 

 lutely without a basis from which a prospective planter seeking informa- 

 tion could work. Many people have made a thorough canvas of the grow- 

 ers and nurserymen only to find that opinions were limited to the trees each 

 was interested in propagating or had planted. The result in many cases 

 was confusion and entire lack of confidence in the industry; many prospec- 

 tive growers gave up the idea of planting for this reason alone. 



By the acceptance of this list we have set a mark upon which all 

 future judging will be based. To be recognized, the new fruits, which will 

 come into bearing, will have to show superior qualities to the standards 

 already set; therefore the standing of the Association will not be lowered 

 by the indiscriminate propagation and sale of unknown and unworthy vari- 

 eties. 



As an Association we are morally responsible to the many new 

 investors joining the industry year by year. By our mere existence we 

 invite them to invest their funds in the production of avocados, and they 

 rightly expect our assistance. It becomes our duty to protect them from 

 irresponsible people selling varieties which are known to be unworthy of 

 commercial planting. The wide distribution of this circular will undoubt- 

 edly greatly reduce such unpopular business methods. 



The nurserymen have already taken advantage of the decision and 

 will be able to discontinue carrying many varieties for which there has been 

 only an occasional demand. More time and study can be spent in the 

 selection of budwood, pruning, and the development of the trees, resulting 

 in better grade nursery stock for the future orchards. 



Many people have orchards of Harman, Ganter and other thin- 

 skinned varieties which have proven to be of Httle commercial value. They 

 have been waiting for some such decided action before top-working. Even 



