980 



NOTES ON BEHAVIOR OF PREVIOUS INTRODUCTIONS. 



Among the numerous varieties of mangos introduced by 

 this Office from the Orient and other regions, several are 

 proving of great promise in south Florida, and at least 

 one has been planted on a commercial scale. This is the 

 Bennett, introduced from Bombay, India, under S.P.I, num- 

 bers 8419 and 8727. Under the first number, cions obtained 

 from the Cooper estate were sent in by Messrs. Lathrop and 

 Fairchild; under the second number cions were sent in by 

 Douglas Bennett, for many years superintendent of the Bom- 

 bay market, and for whom the variety has been named. The 

 behavior of these two numbers in Florida has led horticul- 

 turists to believe that they are not precisely the same 

 variety, since there are slight differences in the fruit. 

 They are sufficiently alike, however, so that they cannot 

 be distinguished by the average person. This mango, which 

 was originally called Douglas Bennett's Golden Alphonse, 

 but is now termed Bennett for convenience, is a selected 

 form of the famous Alphonse mango of Bombay, noted for its 

 unusual keeping qualities and excellent commercial char- 

 acteristics. In Florida it has proved to be a more regular 

 bearer than Mulgoba, yet does not usually produce heavy 

 crops. The fruits are of excellent quality, the flesh be- 

 ing deep orange in color, free from fiber, and of a rich, 

 luscious flavor. The only defect which has been pointed 

 out by Florida growers is the rather dull color of the 

 fruit, which makes it less attractive in the market than 

 Mulgoba. Last season many crates of fruit were sent from 

 one grove near Miami to the markets of the north, excellent 

 prices being realized. 



Paheri, while not yet planted commercially, seems 

 likely to take an important place among the commercial 

 mangos of the future. This variety, which was introduced 

 from Bombay, India, under S.P.I. No. 8730, and was given 

 to Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild by Mr. T. N. Tata, the 

 Parsee millionaire of Bombay is somewhat similar to Bennett 

 in general characteristics, but has a reddish cheek, and 

 is perhaps even richer in flavor. It gives promise of be- 

 ing a good bearer, showing a tendency to produce heavier 

 crops than Bennett or Mulgoba. The fruit is considered in 

 India to possess rather poor keeping qualities, and hence 

 not so valuable commercially as Bennett. It seems likely 

 to be a sufficiently good keeper for market purposes In 

 this country, however, since trial shipments which have been 

 ent from Florida to Washington and held in cold storage 

 have ripened and developed their characteristic aroma and 

 flavor. 



