11 



the centre covered with fibrous material, the Mangosteen possesses a 

 thick, brittle, bitter-tasting outer covering Avhich readily cracks off and 

 exposes a white pulp divided in quarters or "pegs" like an orange, 

 vrhich is the edible portion. A fact which speak volumes for the 

 character of the fruit is, that among the many who have tasted it in 

 Trinidad, not a single person has declared they did not like it, but 

 all unite in singing its praises. 



93.— THE MANGO.— (Mangifera Indica, L.) 



Probably no fruit is better known throughout both the Eastern 

 and Western Tropics than the Mango, 3Iangifera Indica, L., and it 

 is also probable that in no fruit known, is there a greater variety in 

 the form and size and in the quality of the fruit. 



The Mango was first introduced into Jamaica in June, 1782, being 

 among a number of valuable plants taken in a French vessel bound 

 from the East Indies and St. Domingo by Capt. ^Marshall of H.M.S. 

 Flora attached to Lord Rodney's squadron. There being a great 

 number of plants they were regularly numbered, and hence one of the 

 most esteemed sorts became known as I^o. 11, which is still one of the 

 best flavoured of all Mangos cultivated in the West. 



The date of introduction into Trinidad is more uncertain, but it 

 probably occurred somewhere about the same time. 



Various kinds of Mango were also introduced to the French 

 Islands, and some of these possess kinds of the highest value as 

 dessert fruits. 



My predecessor during the twenty-two years of his incumbency 

 did mlich to bring forward the Mango by introducing the best varieties 

 from neighbouring Islands, both French and British, and in 1880 

 wrote: — "During the year fifteen (15) varieties of grafted plants of 

 "new varieties of Mango have been prepared and planted out per- 

 " manently. The collection of Mangos of snch as may be considered 

 "fruitful as well as superior varieties, now numbers twenty-one." 



He then complains of the unfruitfulness of the Mango as planted 

 in the Garden, and certainly not without cause, in my opinion, as it is 

 a fact that several trees which are believed to be specimens of the 

 finest imported kinds, have not produced a single fruit during the 

 past seven years, although growing with vigour and in good health, 

 and we are thus quite unable to determine whether they are valuable 

 or not. To one who has been accustomed to the fruitfulness of the 



