358 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



proliistoric times, nnd people from temperate climates easily acquire 

 the taste for these substitutes for the potato. In the fall and -winter 

 of 1909-10 tubers of the dasheen were distributed to a large number 

 of persons in Washington, D. C., for testing as a table vegetable, and 

 were well liked by nearly all who tried them. Some varieties aro 

 grown exclusively for their leaves, which form an excellent substitute 

 for spinach. One of these was grown in the Canal Zone by the Com- 

 mission's horticulturist for the tables of the American employees, and 

 although hundreds of pounds were harvested daily during the season, 

 the demand could not be supplied. 



Deveix)pment of the mango INDUSTRY, — Very satisfactory progress 

 has been made during the past year in mango research w^ork in 

 Florida, and the importance of this industry is becoming more fully 

 realized. The common seedlings are being gradually worked over to 

 improved East Indian varieties, as these realize better prices in the 

 northern markets. The danger from frost naturally limits the culti- 

 vation of this fruit to certain favored sections of Florida and espe- 

 cially favorable locations in California. The successful demonstra- 

 tions of several oil-burning orchard heaters in carrying tender plants 

 through several degrees of frost will probably give mango culture a 

 much wider range than was heretofore considered feasible. 



Of the East Indian mango introductions tested under Florida con- 

 ditions, 21 have already been fruited, eight new kinds maturing their 

 first crops this year. Investigations in mango budding have been 

 continued at the plant-introduction garden, Miami, Fla., with 

 extremely satisfactory results, which show clearly the practicability 

 of this method. 



Development of the avocado industry. — Avocado culture is at- 

 tracting more than ordinary attention in Florida and southern Cali- 

 fornia, and the commercial importance of this peculiar, nutty-flavored 

 salad fruit is universally recognized. The brisk demand for avocados 

 in the East at fancy prices has stimulated a lively interest in their 

 cultivation and is causing an extension of the present groves and the 

 planting of new ones. 



A study of the peculiarly favorable conditions of the southern por- 

 tion of the west coast of Florida appears to justify rather extensive 

 plantings there, and plans have been made for a wide distribution of 

 named sorts in that area. Particular attention has been given to the 

 introduction of unusually early or late fruiting strains, as these prove 

 most desirable from a commercial point of view, and a number of 

 promising seedlings are under observation in cooperative orchards 

 at Miami and Homestead, Fla. The fact that seedling groves do not 

 produce crops of uniform fruit is becoming more fully recognized and 

 the majority of planters are either top grafting their seedlings or 

 planting budded trees. 



FORAGE-CROP INVESTIGATIONS. 



The investigations and demonstration work of the Bureau on 

 forage crops have continued along essentially the same lines as hereto- 

 fore, under the direction of Prof. C. V. Piper, Agrostologist. A large 

 part of the work has been devoted to securing, testing, and distributing 

 new forage crops, especially such as have promise for the semiarid 

 regions and the Southern States where better forage crops are desired. 



