26 THE MANGO IN PORTO RICO. 



form will be largely limited to those who have at some time lived in a 

 countiT where the fruit is grown and have already acquired a liking 

 for it. With this class even poor mangoes will alwa3's find a market, 

 if good ones are not to be had. 



That mangoes of the best varieties can be grown in America has 

 been demonstrated, although only small quantities are as j^et produced. 

 Mr. D. G. Fairchild, who has had excellent opportunities to test 

 mangoes in all parts of the world, says that with the possible excep- 

 tion of the Bombay Alphonse the finest mango he ever tasted was one 

 of the variety known as ''Mulgoba" and grown in Florida. 



The mango grows in all parts of Porto Rico, but is more common 

 on the drier south side of the island, where the trees will occasionally 

 be seen growing so thick as to suggest an orchard. (See PI. I.) It can 

 scarceh^ be said to be cultivated at all, as few trees are planted and 

 most of the fruit is obtained from trees that have spread spontane- 

 ously. It seems to prefer dry hill slopes, and was seen in the greatest 

 profusion about Cabo Rojo. Trees are seldom seen growing ahout 

 houses. This maj^, however, be due to a superstition that the shade 

 of the mango is dangerous, our Porto Rican driver on one occasion 

 preferring to have his horses stand in the hot sun rather than in the 

 shade of the deadly mango. 



If the tree is propagated artificially at all, it is by means of seeds. 

 The only indication that any grafted stock exists in Porto Rico was a' 

 statement heard in Yauco to the effect that the variety known as 

 Melocoton is from grafted stock brought from Martinique. The 

 importation may have been made, but even if such is the case it has 

 been of little value, as it has since been propagated only through 

 seedlings. 



The season of ripe mangoes in Porto Rico is from Ma}' to August. 

 By selecting proper varieties this might be prolonged, since in some 

 parts of India it extends over a period of six months. This would 

 be a great advantage in shipping the fruit to temperate regions, as at 

 present the season coincides with the season of temperate fruits, which 

 places the mango at a decided disadvantage. 



BEST LOCALITIES. 



Mango plantations in Porto Rico, to be most profitable, should with- 

 out doubt be located in the drier parts of the island, where, as has 

 been said, the trees are not only more prolific, but the fruit is better 

 formed and more free from blemishes. The whole south side, a nar- 

 row strip across the western end, and the northwest corner would seem 

 to be well adapted. The southwestern part of the island is at present 

 producing the best mangoes. In this region there are many more or 

 less extensive tracts of low-priced land unsuited to the growing of 

 other crops, but apparently adapted to the mango. 



