176 



432 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



possession in 1902. 1 The age of the tree at that time is uncertain, 

 but it was probably 5 or 6 years old. Its previous history is unknown. 



It was first propagated for experimental purposes at the Sub- 

 tropical Laboratory of the Bureau of Plant Industry at Miami in 

 1904, and has since been quite widely distributed for testing. Later, 

 bud wood was furnished to a number of nurserymen, several of whom 

 have propagated it commercially. The name " Family " was given 

 it about the time that it was first propagated in 1904. 



The original tree has failed to set fruit in but one year since 1902. 

 It has the rather unusual habit of ripening its fruit, which is borne 

 in clusters, over a period of 8 to 10 weeks, beginning 1 to 2 weeks 

 later than the earliest varieties and continuing until the first fruits 

 of the late sorts are ripe, or even later. It was because of this 

 peculiarity that the name " Family " was selected for it by Professor 

 Eolfs, it being well adapted to the supplying of fruit for family use ; 

 but it is less desirable for commercial purposes than the varieties that 

 ripen their fruit more uniformly. 



The original tree is still standing and is about 18 to 20 feet high. 

 It is now rather spreading in habit of groAvth ; when younger it was 

 apparently more upright in growth, with branches somewhat inclined 

 to droop. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Form obconical; size medium to large; cavity regular, small, shal- 

 low, with gradual slope and furrowed; stem stout; apex furrowed, 

 russeted ; surface undulating ; color yellowish green, marbled, splashed 

 and striped with purplish red; dots numerous, yellow, many in- 

 dented; skin of medium thickness; flesh yellowish green, tender, 

 buttery; seed roundish, large; flavor mild, pleasant; quality good to 

 very good ; season rather early to rather late. 



This variety is especially valued for local use in southern Florida 

 and is worthy of testing in California. 



The specimen illustrated in Plate XXXVIII was grown by Prof. 

 P. H. Rolfs at Miami, Fla. 



CECIL MANGO. 

 [PLATE XXXIX.] 

 EARLY HISTORY. 



The interest in the mango in Florida has now continued for a 

 sufficient time to begin to bring to light some good seedlings grown 

 from seed of choice imported sorts. Choice new varieties may now be 

 expected to appear in considerable numbers as trees in seedling or- 

 chards come into bearing sufficiently to demonstrate their distinctive 



1 Letter from P. H. Rolfs, November 1, 1910. 



