36 THE MANGO IN PORTO RICO. 



Number and value of mangoes exported from Jumnica, 1887 to 1892. 



The following statement is also made: 



This export will never be of any great value unless the fruit is picked by hand 

 and packed with care, for the least bruise is fatal. Good mangoes would doubtless 

 fetch a good price in New York. 



Large shipments of fine East Indian mangoes are now being received 

 in London and not only arrive in good condition, but are bringing 

 fancy prices, quite outselling the West Indian fruit, to which they 

 are much superior. 



This is decidedly encouraging, for if there is a demand for good 

 mangoes in England, why not in the United States \ And if it is possi- 

 ble to successfully ship tine varieties from India to London, there 

 ought surely to be no difficulty in shipping from Porto Rico to New 

 York. 



SUMMARY. 



The essentials for making the cultivation of mangoes in Porto Rico 

 a profitable indijstry may be summarized as follows: 



(1) The introduction and propagation of good varieties, meaning {a) 

 fair-sized fruit, moderately free from fiber and with little of the tur- 

 pentine flavor; (^) fruit that will stand shipping; (c) early and late 

 fruiting varieties, and if possible varieties bearing two crops a year. 



(2) Care in picking, packing, and shipping, that the fruit may reach 

 the market in good condition. 



(3) A general supervision of the shipping by some responsible per- 

 son or firm, insuring uniformity and regularity of supply. 



(4) The placing of good fruit before the public in such quantities 

 that the price need not be excessive, and that the supply can be regU: 

 lar and continuous during the fruiting season. 



If these conditions can be met, an increasing demand may be expected, 

 and there seems no j-eason why the commercial production of mangoes 

 should not be added to the agricultural industries of Porto Rico. 



