Behavior of the Guatemalan Avocado and the 
Chinese Mango in South Florida 
Edward Simmonds, Plant Introduction Garden, U. S. D. A., Miami 
In 1906 the Department of Agriculture 
introduced into Florida several Avocado 
seedlings of the Guatemalan type. Some 
of these were planted at the Miami gar¬ 
den amongst South American and Mex¬ 
ican types. In 1911 some of these fruit¬ 
ed. Fortunately some of the seed were 
saved and planted; however, at that time 
there was very little interest taken in this 
type. The Trapp Avocado was planted 
extensively until the freeze of February, 
1917, when it became apparent hardier 
types were necessary. 
Attention was then directed to these 
Guatemalan seedlings, some of which had 
fruited and were thought to be hybrids 
probably crossed with the South Amer¬ 
ican and Mexican types. The seedlings 
originating here will probably prove to be 
well adapted and represent a new type 
well suited to this section. Observations 
so far show their foliage, pollen and fruit 
suited to the climatic conditions here. 
One plant grown from a seed of the 
Winslow Avocado and fruited out by 
Prof. P. H. Rolfs, is already being plant¬ 
ed. This is a free grower and so far 
fruits well. 
The collection recently secured in Gua¬ 
temala through the Department of Ag¬ 
riculture represent the best types to be 
found there. These are established and 
some seem well adapted as to growth. 
Some of them grow well on South Amer¬ 
ican stock and very poor on Guatemala; 
some do well on both, and some will not 
grow 011 either. 
The Guatemalan race on its own stock 
appears so far to be ten days or two 
weeks later than the South American type 
in coming into growth in the Spring. It 
is generally observed at this time, the 
Guatemala will go very dormant in the 
winter. Trouble has been experienced in 
trying to run buds in the winter time. 
A large number of Guatemalan varie¬ 
ties have been worked on their own type 
of stock at the U. S. Plant Introduction 
Field Station, near Buena Vista. Some 
are now in fruit and the next cold wave 
should prove if this is the proper stock 
for this race. Of course it must be re¬ 
membered that these stocks coming from 
fruits raised in the old garden on Brickell 
avenue are probably hybrids. Some of 
these hybrids with their unusual vigor 
may prove better stocks even than pure 
Guatemalan or West Indian. With the 
interest the U. S. Department of Agricul¬ 
ture and the several responsible nurseries 
are taking in the Avocado culture, this 
fruit has a bright future. 
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