186 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK. 



"hands," the ovary is two-thirds the lengtli of the whole flower; higher 

 up on the stalk are clusters in which the ovary is about one-half the length 

 of the flower; and still higher there is another series in which the ovary 

 is about one-third of the flower. These three sets of flowers, clearly dis- 

 tinguishable by the different proportionate length of the ovary, are physi- 

 ologically very different; those with the long ovary are female flowers and 

 become the fruit ; those with the short ovary are male flowers, and those 

 with the ovary about half the length of the flmver are hermaphrodite and 

 form short, useless fingers in the bimch. 



The pollen in both the hermaphrodite and male flowers appears to be 

 perfect. 



We have tried to cross the red banana with the common Jamaican by 

 applying pollen from male flowers of the red to the stigmas of the 

 Jamaican. 



Several seeds were obtained but they failed to germinate. They were 

 about C> millimeters long, and it is possible they were not perfect. 



The IVIango was introduced into Jamaica about 120 years ago. 



The seed germinated so readily, even when thrown away along the 

 road-sides, that it is now one of the commonest trees in Jamaica. 



The fruit of most of these trees is stringy with a strong turpentine 

 taste. It would be an advantage if they could be budded from trees 

 bearing fruit of good quality. 



It would also be advantageous if seedlings could be budded, as citrus 

 plants are done. At present we propagate bv grafting by approach. 



Experiments so far in budding have not been very successful, only tw^ 

 buds having taken on young branches of trees. The sap seems to be so 

 gummy that actual contact of scion and host is very difficult. 



AVOCADO PEAR (PERSEA GRATISSIMA). 



The fruit known as Avocado Pear is extensively used in the West 

 Indies, eaten with pepper and salt with fish and meat. The best varieties 

 have an excellent nutty flavor, but very many are insipid. 



We have budded several plants at Hope Gardens, and demonstrated 

 the practicability of improving the fruit generally in this way. 



