The original tree of the Family avocado was found by Prof. P.H. Rolfs, now director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, on a place at Buena Vista near Miami, Florida, which came into his possession in 1902. The age of the tree at that time is uncertain, but it was probably 5 or 6 years old. It has the rather unusual habit of ripening its fruit over a period of 8 to 10 weeks. It was because of this peculiarity that the name “Family” was selected for it by Professor Rolfs, it being well adapted to the supplying of fruit for family use.