DESCKIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 279 



m 



Gabgab, Gapgap, or Gaogao (Guam). 



Vernacular name for a tree, Erythrina indica, and for Tarai pinnutijida, the Poly- 

 nesian arrowroot. 



Gabi (Philippines). See Caladium colocasia. 

 Gado (Guam). See Dioscorea spinosa. 

 Gafau (Guam). See MelaMoma marianum. 

 Gafo (Guam). Local name for a fully ripe coconut. 

 Gadye or Gaye (Guam). See Lens phaneoloides. 

 Gafus (Guam). See Medinilla rosea. 

 Gage (Guam). See Casuarina erpiisetifolut. 



Galag or Galak (Guam). 



The bird's-nest fern, Neottopteris nidus. 

 Gallito ( Panama. ) See Poindana pidcherrima. 

 Gamot sa buni ( Philippines). See Herpetica alata. 

 Ganda (PhiUppines). See Allium sativum. 

 Gandul (Porto Rico). See Cajan cajan. 

 Gaogao (Guam). See Gabgah. 

 Gaogao uchan ((iuam). A species of Phyllanthus. 



Girdens. 



Settlers in tropical islands are apt to be disappointed in their first attempts at hor- 

 tiailture. Many take with them a supply of seeds of vegetables and fruits which 

 gr)w in temperate regions, and plant them only to find that the seed fail to germi- 

 nate, or that the plants, though apparently thriving, fail to province fruit. The 

 caises of disappointment in many cases are the loss of vitality of the seeds and 

 nrt planting at the proper time of the year. There are, however, certain plants 

 wiich require a cool temperature and can not possibly be propagated in a tropical 

 clhiate at the level of the sea. Thus it is useless to expect Irish potatoes or cauli- 

 flfwer to grow, and apples, pears, plums, and quinces are out i)f the question. 



All tomatoes, introduced eggplants, and Ijeans should be planted toward the end of 

 tbe rainy season or at the beginning of the dry season, say November or December. 

 Iitroduced watermelons, muskmelons, pumpkins, and squashes should be planted 

 ater the dry season has set in, and watered if necessary. The red peppers, Legu- 

 ninosae growing naturally in the Tropics, bananas, jilantains, and the perennial 

 egplant found in the island of Guam may be planted in the rainy season, which is 

 ato the time for transplanting cacao, coffee, orange, and other trees, for setting out 

 hdges, and planting maize on the uplands. 



During the summer months the rainfall is sometimes so excessive that the surface 

 o the land remains inundated f(jr a day or two, so that such plants as squashes, 

 nelons, tomatoes, and lima beans are killed outright. Provisions should be made 

 fcr drainage. During the rainy months the atmosphere is frequently saturated with 

 loisture and all organic substances, including living succulent 2:)lants, are subject to 

 ecay. Tomatoes planted by the writer at the beginning of the rainy season grew 

 'ell at first, but the fruit rotted while still green, and melons planted at the same 

 une were attacked by some fungus disease and failed to reach maturity. 



Certain plants appear to thrive best if planted first in boxes raised from the earth 

 md protected from insects. Beets, collards, and lettuce should be planted in this 

 jvay, and set out in the garden when they have four or six leaves. Tobacco is 

 invariably planted first in sementeras (seed beds), then transferred to larger beds, 

 shaded with muslin or branches, where the individual plants have room to grow, and 

 finally set out in the fields. Plants with a taproot, like radishes and beets, must be 



