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3
spur of propagating material - I wonder if we have Clementine mandarin
I am afraid not; we have one tree here in Antigua and the fruit is fine.
As for the avocados, I hope you can propagate and continue the
most promising varieties. That collection down below the new houses
is the fifth we have had in 20 years. Doctor Malan of South Africa
told us they had learned to lengthen the life of plantings where Phy-
tophthora is a problem by cutting down irrigation; and in my last two
years at Zamorano I tried that and it seemed to help. I thought the
trees would die from drought- we gave them no water during the dry
season, but they didn't. Of course they didn't grow much. Zamorano has
always been a source of propagating material of the best avocados and
I hope it can continue to be.
I am delighted that you are going to put Ceiba back on its feet.
And what you say makes me feel sure you plan to join us at the Miami
meeting of the Caribbean Region ASHS next March. The following year,
1962, it is planned to meet here in Guatemala and devote special
attention to deciduous fruits.
And now a last word on mangos: our colleagues in Florida are giving
up the commercial planting of Haden because they say it stops bearing
when it is 12 to 15 years of age. In Venezuela I saw, last year, at
least 20 trees which I know to be 30 years old and they were bearing
fine crops. I ask them in Florida, How do you know that your new
varieties such as Keitt and Kent and Zill won't stop bearing, here,
when the grafted trees are 12 to 15 yrs old, just like Haden. I am
still encouraging the planting of Haden in tropical America.
If you should come over this way at any time, do not fail to
spend a day or two with us here in Antigua. We have lots of room and
there is plenty to see in this region.
Sincerely,