78 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
while injured in February, 1917, fruited 
again in 1920. 
Concerning varieties, would say that 
after our experience with the West Indian 
race in 1917, as stated, we secured bud- 
wood of the best available varieties of the 
Guatemalan and Mexican races (includ¬ 
ing the Guatemalans introduced by Mr. 
Wilson Popenoe), with which we worked 
over most of our older Trapp and Pol¬ 
lock trees. We later planted a new test 
plat budded on three different stocks, giv¬ 
ing us a total of over forty different va¬ 
rieties in our groves. Of these some ten 
varieties fruited in 1920 and thirty-six 
are holding fruit at present. Some of 
the results noticed in this test planting 
which as stated includes trees budded on 
three different stocks—West Indian, 
Guatemalan and Mexican, are very inter¬ 
esting; and in the course of a few years 
should be of value in determining the va¬ 
riety and stock best suited for this sec¬ 
tion. 
I wish to emphasize the fact that some 
of the Mexican race, including seedlings, 
while not of commercial value, are most 
excellent for home use, ripening in sum¬ 
mer and early fall, and being quite hardy, 
they are of great economic value. 
This reminds me, everyone thinks of 
the Avocado as a salad fruit, but really, 
have you ever eaten an Avocado pie? 
Take a good Mexican fruit or fruits, ac¬ 
cording to the size pie you like, and tell 
the cook to make it like pumpkin or sweet 
potato pie. The combination is guaran¬ 
teed to make an Avocado enthusiast. 
Speaking of some of the odd results 
noticed with these varieties, I would like 
to tell you the history of one of our trees. 
During March, 1917, a Pollock tree (in¬ 
jured in February) sent up two sprouts 
from the root stock. During April I 
budded one sprout with Taft and the 
other with Fuerte buds. They both lived 
and looked so promising that the Pollock 
wood was removed. Both buds made 
good growth and are now some sixteen 
feet in height. While both buds are on 
the same root system, each year the 
Fuerte has bloomed during January, 
while the Taft, on same root, has never 
started new growth until in March. An¬ 
other point of interest is that the Fuerte 
bud matured fruit in 1919 and in 1920 
and has a fair crop set this spring, while 
the Taft bud has not bloomed to date. 
Regarding the hardiness of the differ¬ 
ent races and varieties, would say that we 
have both Mexican and Guatemalan vari¬ 
eties which withstood the cool spell of 
1917, and are fruiting and growing very 
well today. Consequently exact data as 
to hardiness had best be left for a future 
report. At present there appears to be a 
marked difference in the first start of new 
growth and in blooming periods. This 
may be an important point to be taken 
into consideration later in connection 
with quality, quantity and favorable ri¬ 
pening season. The hardiness and vigor 
of the tree will be the important factors 
in choosing our most valuable varieties. 
As previously stated, there are several 
stock experiments being conducted in this 
section which are showing some interest¬ 
ing phases. Personally, I believe the 
West Indian is one of the best and most 
vigorous growers on land which is suited 
