VARIKTIES TO BE INTRODUCED. 31 



Islands, and indeed it i.s not impossible that it was brought to Mexico 

 from those islands l)y one of the SyKinish galleons that during the 

 seventeenth century plied regularly between the Philippines and 

 Mexico. 



A form resem])ling this in Guam is tnere commonly supposed to 

 have come from the Philippines. I)ut as ships oidy touched at (luam 

 on the return vovage from Mexico the fruit nuist have reached Ciuam 

 b}' way of America, and would naturally have become established in 

 both countries. Possiblv a further contirmation is to be found in the 

 occurrence of the same or a very similar form in Cuba, known as the 

 l*hili})})in(' mango. 



Mango china. — A ver}^ fine seedling race, common in the markets 

 of Guatemala City, and considered the finest mango of that region. 

 The form of the fruit is characteristic, being very thin and almost cir- 

 cular in outline, with a prominent blunt '"nak," located some distance 

 fi'om the apex. The tlesh is thick and remarkably free from fiber for 

 a seedling, mild and aromatic, without suggesting turpentine. 



This variety difi'ers from others examined in having pronounced 

 longitudinal ridges on the seed, which is thin and very broad. (See 

 PI. V, fig. 1.) Like the Manila of Mexico, this form apparently comes 

 true to seed. It could easily be secured and would certainly be an 

 improvement on anything at present in the island. By some this form 

 is called Mcuujo de hi'ea. This name is, however, more appropriate!}^ 

 applied to another form m which the fruit is more or less coated with 

 a pitch-like exudation, hren meaning pitch. 



There are a numl)er of excellent varieties and forms already grow- 

 ing in other islands of the West Indies, which it might be desirable to 

 introduce. The fact, ho'wever, that Indian fruit is outselling the West 

 Indian in the London market would indicate that the best Indian vari- 

 eties should receive the most attention. It is possible that the best 

 kinds are not exported from the British West Indies where mangoes 

 as good as Indian varieties maj' be growing, but where under the 

 unfavorable conditions they do not bear sufiicient fruit to permit of 

 being exported. These same mangoes, if transplanted to the south 

 side of Porto Rico, might become much more prolific, and on account 

 of the ease with which they could be introduced the subject should 

 receive careful attention. 



In Bulletin No. 20 of the Botanical Department of Trinidad, July, 

 1889, Mr. J. H. Hart describes the Trinidad varieties, some of which 

 would appear to be very excellent. Among the most desirable kinds 

 may be mentioned the following: 



Gordon. — A fine large fruit. The seedlings are said to produce 

 fruit almost identical with those of the grafted stock, and are thought 

 to bear better. 



