A Hardy Mexican Avocado 
C. C. Shooter, Earlton 
A good deal of interest is being taken 
in the Mexican avocado growing at my 
place at Earlton, on account of its excep¬ 
tional hardiness and the good quality of 
the fruit. It has stood the test of 22 win¬ 
ters, including 1917, without ever losing 
any wood and only a few leaves. Orange 
trees on the same block have been badly 
hurt and grapefruit trees killed outright. 
It is a vigorous grower, making an im¬ 
mense tree 40 to 50 feet high and seems to 
be practically free from insects and other 
enemies. It makes a magnificent orna¬ 
mental, growing much quicker than the 
magnolia. 
So far, it has produced 800 to 900 
fruits per season; would probably bear 
much more with irrigation or on damper 
soil. 
The fruit, although of only medium 
size, is very rich and fine flavored and was 
noticeably larger last season as the result 
of a little fertilizer. 
It does not seem to be generally known 
that the avocado can be used otherwise 
than as a salad. We have found it excel¬ 
lent cooked in a variety of ways. Avo¬ 
cado custard pie is truly delicious. 
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