CULTIVATION. 19 



piece of bark about IJ inches in length, and from the variety to be propagated cut a 

 similar piece with a bud in the center, not, however, from new woixi, but from that 

 whicli in at least 2 years old and which has lost its green color and assumed the 

 grayish brown tint. Fit the section of bark, with bud attached, into the space 

 formed by the removal of the bark from the stock. If this piece of bark removed 

 from the stock has a bud in the central part, the wood exposed to view will fit better 

 with the section of bark to be applied. When the section has been put in place, 

 with a small l)rush apply a light coating of liquid grafting wax in which there is a 

 large quantity of resin, to the cut parts, and immediately tie tiriuly with thick 

 pieces of raffia; then an 8-inch wide strip of strong wrapping paper wound round and 

 round the stem a few inches above the bud, and tied above with a cord, completes 

 the operation for the time being. 



If good material is selected and the operation carefully carried out at the proper 

 time, there is no reason why a high percentage of successful unions should not be 

 secured. 



It is said that in Martinique" the mang-o has ])eeii successful!}' 

 grafted on the cashew tree {AnaeardiutJi oecldentdh), and it is further 

 stated that seedling mangoes so grafted produce fruit doubled in size, 

 free from fiber, and with the seed so reduced that it is frequently with- 

 out the power to germinate. The fruit although melting and very 

 juicy is said to be without flavor. These results, as reported, are so 

 radically opposed to those usually obtained from similar experiments 

 that they are not likely to be generally accepted until verified. 



CULTIVATION. 



The culture of the mango in localities to which it is suited is largely 

 a question of the best method of propagation. Once established the 

 tree needs little care. 



^^'hether mangoes are planted directly in the field or started in pots 

 and transplanted, it is recommended that the holes be prepared some 

 time in advance, and, if possible, that a layer of rich soil, mixed with 

 bones, be placed at the bottom. Manuring in the early stages, though 

 often retarding the production of fruit, makes strong, vigorous trees. 

 Twenty to 30 feet is recommended as a good planting distance, though 

 this should doubtless be modified according to the variety, as some kinds 

 produce much larger trees than others. For the varieties already in 

 Porto Rico this distance should probably be increased to -iO or 50 feet. 

 The better grafted varieties usually make much smaller trees, and with 

 these the distance might be reduced to 15 feet or even less. If subse- 

 quent manuring is practiced, the fertilizer should be applied after the 

 fruiting season, and at the same time the ground around the trees 

 should be stirred. 



In parts of India the young trees are shaded for a time until they 

 are large enough to stand the sun, and bananas are recommended 

 to provide the desired protection. In Porto Rico this seems hardly 



«Annals de la Societe d' Agriculture de la Martinique (Tome II) , quoted in Jumelle's 

 Cultures Coloniales, p. 212. 



