The Plant World 



A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF POPULAR BOTANY. 



VoL IV. OCTOBER, 1901. No. 10. 



NOTES ON TREES OF CUBA. 



By De. Valery Havard, Surgeon, U. S. A. 



{Concluded from page 16G.) 



Fruit Trees. 



TROPICAL fruits, as a very general rule, contain much more sugar 

 than northern fruits, and the period during which they are pala- 

 table and wholesome, that is, from the time they are fully ripe to 

 that when they begin to ferment and decay, is relatively short; they 

 appear also to be more readily affected by weather, soil and culture, 

 hence great variations in their flavor and quality. Americans seldom 

 take to them kindly at first, but after some cultivation of taste, often 

 become fond of them. The various species of Citrus thrive in Cuba, 

 and yield prime fruit. The fine flavor of the uncultivated orange shows 

 how easily it would be to develop superior grades by selection and cul- 

 tivation. So far, the attention of all land owners and planters has been 

 absorbed by sugar cane and tobacco, so that fruits and vegetables have 

 been neglected to an amazing degree, but it is very probable that in 

 the near future the bulk of the best oranges and lemons in the market 

 of the United States wdll come from Cuba and Porto Rico. 



Of all fruit trees in Cuba, the Mango {Mangifera Indica) stands 

 pre-eminent by the size and beauty of the tree and abundance and 

 quality of the fruit. It must have been imported from India at an 

 early day, for groves of it are found in all parts of the island, hardier 

 and apparently more at home than many native trees, thriving in all 

 kinds of soils and situations. Wlien fullj^ developed, its noble stature, 

 strong, spreading limbs, ample, thick and glossy evergreen foliage, 

 thick clusters of white flowers in wdnter, and abundant drupes hanging 



