BULLETIN 1073, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
METHODS OF ANALYSIS. 
The methods of analysis of the Association of Official Agricultural 
Chemists Avere used. 
Specific gravity of the fruit was determined by weighing it in air 
and under water. Each fruit was then cut in half, lengthwise, the 
seed removed, and the pulp separated from the skin by means of a 
spoon. Often it was necessary to remove the skin of the fresh 
immature samples by paring. In such cases the separations could 
not always be accurately made, a fact which must be taken into 
X 
3.Ci 
Figure l.— Monthly increase in fat content of the edibb portion of avocados. 
consideration in interpreting the results. The seed, skin, and pulp 
were weighed and the percentage of each was determined. 
Moisture was determined bv drying to constant weight in vacuo 
at 70° C. 
Ash was determined by thoroughly charring the sample at low 
heat, extracting the char with hot water, and ashing the residue at 
red heat. Xext the water-soluble ash was added. The whole was 
then evaporated to dryness and heated to very low redness. 
