NORTH INDIA WOOD 323 



weight is about 6 or 7 ounces. It has a tough, yellowish-red or 

 greenish rind inclosing the adherent flesh, which has a peculiar but 

 pleasant aromatic taste. Inferior fruit may be tough, with a tur- 

 pentine flavor. The single seed or " stone," to which the slippery 

 pulp adheres very closely, is quite large. These characteristics make 

 it a somewhat difficult task, until one has learned the art, to consume 

 a ripe mango in public and at the same time preserve good table 

 manners. 



Macmillan remarks: 



The mango is the fruit par excellence of India, where it has been cultivated 

 from time immemorial. Here it may be considered an article of food as well as 

 dessert, whilst it also enters largely in the preparation of chutneys .and 

 preserves. The tree thrives from sea level to about 3,000 feet or higher. A 

 hot and rather dry climate, and a rich, deep, well-drained soil suit it best. 

 The ground should be irrigated during prolonged drought, especially if the 

 trees are setting fruit, also manured once a year, and mulched in dry weather. 

 Pruning consists in thinning out superfluous or sickly branches; root pruning 

 is sometimes applied with advantage to trees which become unfruitful, owing 

 to their running too much into wood and leaf, the operation being performed 

 by making a deep trench around the tree at a few feet from the stem and cut- 

 ting clean all roots met with. Shade is not necessary, except when the plants 

 are young. Propagation is best by grafting on seedling stocks of a hardy 

 vigorous variety, or by in-arching or layering. 



The largest, best-flavored, and most desirable varieties for general 

 consumption that I have seen in north India come from Bengal, but 

 the Indian mango has as many variants in size, flavor, color, and 

 other qualities as the apple. It might well form a valuable and 

 welcome addition to our supply of edible fruits. 



There are many other tropical fruits awaiting domestication in 

 more temperate climates which this short essay must ignore; I shall 

 drop the subject with a brief mention of two species, both belonging 

 to the luscious An07mc&ae. 



Number one, to be found in most tropical countries, I first tasted 

 in British Guiana — the custard-apple, sometimes called bullock's 

 heart (Anona reticulata). It is a small, bushy tree, found generally 

 in low elevations, with a large brownish-red, round or heart-shaped 

 fruit that contains several good-sized dark-brown seeds mixed with 

 a sweet edible pulp. The latter resembles and tastes much like an 

 agreeable custard, although the Indian natives have a superstitious 

 belief that continued indulgence in it causes leprosy. 



Second, the cherimoyer {Ano7ia cheriviolia). This species is now 

 quite common in India and the Far East, a small tree introduced 

 from Peru. The fruit is large, oblong, cordate or round, from 3 to 5 

 inches in diameter, covered with small pits and weighing from 2 to 

 4 pounds. It stands transportation very well and seems especi- 

 ally fitted for cultivation in California, Florida and other semi- 

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