DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 279 
Gabgab, Gapgap, or Gaogao (Guam). 
Vernacular name for a tree, Erythrina indica, and for Tacca pinnatifida, the Poly- 
nesian arrowroot. 
Gabi (Philippines). See Caladium colocasia. 
Gado (Guam). See Dioscorea spinosa. 
Gafau (Guam). See Melastoma marianum. 
Gafo (Guam). Local name for a fully ripe coconut. 
Gadyé or Gayé (Guam). See Leis phaseoloides. 
Gafus (Guam). See Medinilla rosea. 
Gago ((ruam). See Cusuarima equisetifolia. 
Galag or Galak ((i:uam). 
The bird’s-nest fern, Neottopteris nidus. 
Gallito (Panama.) See Poinciana pulcherrima, 
Gamot sa buni (Philippines). See Herpetica alata. 
Ganda (Philippines). See Allium satirwin, 
Gandul (Porto Rico). See Cajan cajan. 
Gaogao (Guam). See Gabgab. 
Gaogao uchan ((iuam). <A species of Phyllanthus. 
Gardens. 
Settlers in tropical islands are apt to be disappointed in their first attempts at hor- 
ticulture. Many take with them a supply of seeds of vegetables and fruits which 
grow in temperate regions, and plant them only to find that the seed fail to germi- 
nate, or that the plants, though apparently thriving, fail to produce fruit. The 
causes of disappointment in many cases are the loss of vitality of the seeds and 
not planting at the proper time of the year. There are, however, certain plants 
which require 2 cool temperature and can not possibly be propagated in a tropical 
climate at the level of the sea. Thus it is useless to expect Irish potatoes or cauli- 
flower to grow, and apples, pears, plums, and quinces are out of the question. 
All tomatoes, introduced eggplants, and beans should be planted toward the end of 
the rainy season or at the beginning of the dry season, say November or December. 
Introduced watermelons, muskmelons, pumpkins, and squashes should be planted 
after the dry season has set in, and watered if necessary. The red peppers, Legu- 
minosae growing naturally in the Tropics, bananas, plantains, and the perennial 
eggplant found in the island of Guam may be planted in the rainy season, which is 
also the time for transplanting cacao, coffee, orange, and other trees, for setting out 
hedges, and planting maize on the uplands. 
During the summer months the rainfall is sometimes so excessive that the surface 
of the land remains inundated fora day or two, so that such plants as squashes, 
melons, tomatoes, and lima beans are killed outright. Provisions should be made 
for drainage. During the rainy months the atmosphere is frequently saturated with 
moisture and all organic substances, including living succulent plants, are subject to 
decay. Tomatoes planted by the writer at the beginning of the rainy season grew 
well at first, but the fruit rotted while still green, and melons planted at the same 
time were attacked by some fungus disease and failed to reach maturity. 
Certain plants appear to thrive best if planted first in boxes raised from the earth 
and protected from insects. Beets, collards, and lettuce should be planted in this 
yay, and set out in the garden when they have four or six leaves. Tobacco is 
invariably planted first in sementeras (seed beds), then transferred to larger beds, 
shaded with muslin or branches, where the individual plants have room to grow, and 
finally set out in the fields. Plants with a taproot, like radishes and beets, must be 
