CULTURE. 



13 



have tho largest eolleotioiis. althouuh the drier regions of Central 

 America and Mexico may be found to offer better seedling varieties. 

 In spite of the many discouraging frosts that have visited Florida, 

 planters of that State are actively engaged in propagating good vari- 

 eties by budding, grafting, and inarching, and, if visited with no fur- 

 ther misfortune, will in a few years produce considerable quantities 

 of high-grade fruit. 



CULTURE. 



REQUIREMENTS. 



The mango will grow in a variety of conditions, and it seems to have 

 little preference as to soil, the most important requirement being a 

 deep soil that is well drained. As to climate, it is much more exact- 

 ing, and the fact that the tree may thrive well in a given locality and 

 yet fail to produce fruit should i)e kept always in mind. It may be 

 considered as proven that the mango will be prolitic only in regions 

 subjected to a considerable dry season. On the moist north side of 

 Porto Rico the trees grow luxuriantly. l)ut they are not nearly so 

 prolitic nor is the fruit of such good quality as on the dry south side, 

 and in the very dry region about Yauco and at Cabo Rojo the fruit 

 seemed at its best, while its abundance was attested by the fact that 

 fine fruit was selling as low as 12 for a cent. In Guatemala and 

 Mexico the mango was found at its best only in regions where severe 

 dry seasons prevailed. This position is amply supported by reports 

 of the mango in other localities. 



The moist conditions that prevail at the Botanic Gardens of Trinidad 

 are reported by ]\lr. Hart" to be very unfavorable to the production 

 of mangoes, a decided improvement being noticed in particularly dry 

 seasons. This was also found to be the case in Jamaica, reports from 

 dillerent parts of the island* all agreeing that the mango fruits but 

 sparingly in moist localities, and in such is much more prolific in dry 



seasons. 



Rains at the time of flowering seem to be especially injurious. It 

 has been suggested by Mr. Hart and others that the moist weather 

 interferes with pollination. If this is accomplished by insects the 

 damp weather may easily afiect their operations. Information on this 

 point seems entirely wanting and investigation might be well repaid. 

 In cases where the trees do not flower the explanation is probably to 

 be found in the fact that the mango, like so many other plants, needs 

 some check to its growth to induce the formation of blossoms. Where 

 the dry season is lacking, artificial means of checking the growth are 

 often resorted to, and old trees that have never borne fruit are some- 

 times made to produce enormous crops. 



«Bul. Royal Bot. Gardens, Trinidad, July, 1899, Vol. Ill, pp. 190-194. 

 & Jamaica Bui., November and December, 1901, Vol. VIII, pp. 161-178. 



