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DIERBERGER AGRO-COMERCIAL LTDA.
Cx. Postal, 458 - São Paulo
Dr. Wilson Popenoe
Gainesville-Fla
(cont'd)
Once the collection of commercial varieties was constituted, and the reproduction methods known, it was possible to initiate a market with good consumption possibilities. Certainly our firm played an important role in this work, distributing about 80% of budded and grafted plants throughout the country. We estimate an average of 20,000 plants sold yearly during these last 30 years, corresponding to 600,000 grafted plants in Brazil, besides 150,000 from other nurseries, and the seedlings, the number of which is unknown.
The criteria of the choice of the varieties, was made in planting trees, so that the production would be during all the year, considering that during the months of January to April, there is overproduction from the antillan avocados, coming from seedlings.
It is difficult to tell the exact amount of avocado trees in the country, since there are no statistics. One finds the avocado in the tropical, subtropical and also temperate climate, everywhere, in gardens, groves etc... Seedlings are mentioned, of enormous height, very old ones, with enormous productions.
More in the south, in the colder regions, the mexican and some hybrids more resistant to the cold, grow fairly well, sometimes badly frozen back when a strong coldspell comes.
With reference to the reproduction, we use, as rootstock, extra vigorous antillan types, the most important one called erroneously Nimlioh, which gives an excellent material. The reproduction is done either by budding, in the nursery, or grafting, when the young shoot is about 10" high. This last one gives good plants and in a shorter time. We have had excellent results with this method. The number of grafted plants which are sold yearly may be estimated in about 60 to 70,000.
As soon as the plant is well developed in the nursery, it is dug out, with as much soil as possible, and planted into bamboo baskets; then, they are kept under lathhouses, where they are watered daily, as long as it doesn't rain. As soon as the plant shows the start of new vegetation and good rooting, it is sold.
When planted in the grove, we recommend the shading during the first time. Usually they plant 24x24ft, but we insist on a greater distance, or interplanting with citrus, which can be pulled out as soon as the avocado needs the space.
Good farmers manure and fertilize well, to increase the crop. Sometimes covercrop is planted in between the rows.
