1082 
is very small in proportion to the size of the fruit, 
rather a rare thing in an avocado of round or oblate 
form, for as a rule fruits of this shape have large 
seeds. The skin is thick, and the flesh clear, of 
good color and texture and the quality is good for an 
early fruit. An early variety of the Guatemalan type 
is much needed for California, since none of the va- 
rieties so far tested in that state ripen in time for 
the holiday season. The tree from which this budwood 
was taken stands on a rather steep hillside, the soil 
being a loose sandy loam. The trunk of the tree is 
about a foot and a half thick, and the crown spread- 
ing, 35 feet in diameter and about the same in height. 
The foliage is rather scanty, especially so at the 
present time, as the tree is coming into flower. The 
crop of fruit is enormous; it is impossible to make 
an accurate count, but the number of fruits is cer- 
tainly well above 1000 and may be nearer 2000. Next 
year it will probably bear a comparatively small crop, 
for according to the avocado growers of the Antigua 
region, practically all of the trees bear a heavy crop 
one season followed by a very light one the next. With 
good culture the fruits would probably be larger than 
they are on this tree; it seems reasonable to expect 
that they will weigh 12 ounces. Fruit roundish oblate, 
size below medium, weight 8 to 10 ozs., length 2f to 
3 inches, greatest breadth 3 to 3^ inches, base trun- 
cate, the stem inserted squarely without depression; 
stem fairly stout, 4 inches long; apex flattened, 
sometimes slightly oblique; surface pebbled dull pur- 
ple in color, with numerous small yellowish dots, skin 
, one sixteenth inch thick at basal end of fruit, about 
one eighth inch at apex, . separating readily from the 
flesh, rather finely granular, brittle; flesh deep 
cream yellow near seed, changing to very pale green 
near skin, quite free from fiber discoloration, firm 
in texture and moderately rich in flavor; seed small 
in comparison to size of fruit, oblate, 1 5/8 inch 
broad, l£ Inch long, tight in the seed cavity with 
both seed coats adhering closely. Season at San Lor- 
enzo del Gubo commencing about the middle of October, 
but not all the fruits are mature until several weeks 
later. This variety is particularly recommended for 
trial in the avocado districts of. California, where a 
variety which will mature early in the winter is much 
needed. It may not ripen quite so early in California 
as it does in Guatemala, due to the difference in 
climatic conditions." 43602. "From the patio in the 
