TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS IN CALIFORNIA. 331 



Roxb. (properly E. javanica Lam.), E. brasiliensis Lam., E. cauliflora 

 Berg, E. costaricensis Berg, E. edulis Veil., E. littoralis Planch., E. Luma 

 Berg (properly E. apiculata DC), E. Mato Griseb., E. pungens Berg, 

 E. pyriformis Cambess., E. Uvalha Cambess., Ficus Pseudo-Carica 

 Miq., Flacourtia Ramontchi L'Herit., Greigia sphacelata Regel, Lucuma 

 mammosa Gaertn., Malpighia mexicana A. Juss., Melicocca bijuga 

 Linn., Myrtus Arayan H. B. & K., Nephelium Lit-chi Cambess., 

 N. Longana Cambess., Passiflora ligularis A. Juss., Psidium cuneifolium 

 Tenore, P. Friedrichsthalianum Niedenzu, P. laurifolium Berg, P- 

 littorale Raddi, P. montanum Sw., Rollinia emarginata Schlecht., R. 

 orthopetala A. DC, Strychnos spinosa Lam., Vangueria edulis Vahl 

 (properly V. madagascariensis J. F. Gmel.), V. infausta Burch., 

 Vitellaria multifiora Radlk. (properly Lucuma multiflora A. DC), 

 Xylosma Salzmanni Eichl. 



Leaving these out of consideration, the following list describes the 

 actual situation with regard to those which have become so well 

 established as to be offered by the trade : — 



The Avocado (Persea gratissima Gaertn.). 



During the last few years the Avocado has attracted so much atten- 

 tion in California that it is rapidly assuming a position of importance 

 among commercial fruits. Although introduced about 1870, it was 

 scarcely known until after 1900, and only seedlings were grown until 

 four years ago. Since it does not come true to variety when grown 

 from seed, it was recognized that cultivation on a commercial scale 

 would only be made possible through vegetative propagation. Budded 

 trees are now being produced, and many have been planted. 



The exact area in which the Avocado can be grown has not yet been 

 determined, but it has been found to do well in the Citrus belt and 

 coastal regions of the southern part of the State. Since its success 

 elsewhere depends largely upon obtaining hardier and more drought- 

 resistant types, a definite search has been made for such types in 

 Mexico, with the result that varieties have been secured that will, 

 without doubt, greatly extend the area in which the fruit can be 

 profitably grown. 



Most of the trees now in bearing are of Mexican or Guatemalan 

 origin. The type from Guatemala (fig. 131) appears to be the most 

 desirable for commercial purposes, on account of its thick, woody 

 skin, which permits the fruit to be shipped to distant markets. The 

 smaller, thin-skinned type from Mexico (fig. 133), considered a distinct 

 species, P. drymifolia Cham. & Schlecht., by some botanists, is not 

 so valuable commercially, but is a favourite for home use. Of both 

 these types there are numerous named varieties, some of the most 

 prominent being 'Taft,' 'Lyon,' ' Murrieta,' and ' Chappelow.' 



Propagation by shield budding is somewhat more difficult than 

 with Citrus fruits, probably because it is not, as yet, so well under- 

 stood, but several nurserymen are producing budded trees in large 

 numbers. Grafting, when done under glass, is also successful and is 



z 2 



