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If possible hives of bees should be placed in the groves
at blooming time to increase the chances for cross-pollination.

PROPAGATION.

Seedling trees are seldom planted in Florida because of
their uncertain yield and variable quality. Avocados are usually prop-
agated by shield budding. The method is similar to that used with citrus
trees, although considerably more difficult in execution, requiring much
closer attention to details for successful results. Mature seeds are
sown in boxes, pots or in the open ground with the pointed and uppermost
and barely covered by the soil. Three or four months after planting, when
1/4" to 1/2" in diameter, the seedlings are ready for budding, providing
they are making a vigorous growth and the bark slips easily. The budwood
should be selected by taking wood which is of recent growth, but not so
sappy that it will break when bent. The buds used should be plump, well
developed, one to two inches in length. They should be cut smoothly
with a very sharp, thin-edged knife. The usual T-shaped incision is
made in the stock close to the ground and the bud gently inserted, taking
great care not to injure the delicate inner bark tissues. After the
bud is inserted it should be firmly and snugly wrapped with waxed tape
or raffia, leaving the eye exposed. Three to five weeks later, when the
bud has united with the stock, this wrap may be loosened, but it should
not be entirely removed until the bud sprout is an inch or so long. At
the time of budding the top of the stock should be lopped a foot or so
above the bud. When the bud sprout is six inches or more in length the
old stock should be cut off cleanly and as close to the bud as possible.

Avocados may also be propagated by whip, saddle or cleft
grafting, and the latter method is now being used with considerable
success on seedling sprouts while still quite tender and only of pencil
size. Seeds can thus be germinated in a bed and bench grafted, then
placed in boxes in which they are to be grown until set in permanent
place. Covering the graft union with melted paraffin is an important
aid in securing success with this method.

Old seedling trees bearing scanty or inferior crops can be
top-worked to he best standard varieties. This is done by cutting half
or more of the main limbs back to stubs late in the fall. The following
spring vigorous sprouts appear from these stubs and when these sprouts
are half an inch or so in diameter they are budded by the shield budding
method described above. The following season the remainder of the tree
may be rebudded by the same process.

SITES AND SOILS.

In choosing a site for the avocado select land with good
air and water drainage. Low areas or pockets in which cold air might
settle on frosty nights should be avoided. Land with poor water drain-