PORTO RICO EXPERIMENT STATION. 409 



in the interior also separates freely when the fruit is cut in half. The 

 fruit contains about 10 per cent of oil, has a nutty flavor, and is quite 

 nutritious. Americans are usually very fond of it. It is eaten raw in 

 much the same way as a cantaloupe or is used in the form of a salad 

 with a dressing. 



With the present facilities it is impossible to ship the aguacate to the 

 States without a large loss, but with better shipping facilities and a 

 knowledge of the shipping possibilities of the fruit there should be 

 a good future in growing aguacates for export to the States. 



MANGOES. 



This fruit, like the aguacate, occurs in nearly all parts of the island, 

 but is more common and cheaper. The trees are large and sturdy, 

 giving a very dense shade. The fruits ripen during the months of 

 May, June, and July, and are eagerly eaten by the natives. They are 

 kidne} r shaped, about the size of an apple, and when ripe have a }^ellow 

 or golden color, often with a rose-colored cheek. The fruits vary 

 much in size and quality and are susceptible of great improvement. 

 The} 7 have a large seed or nut and the pulp surrounding it is rich and 

 juicy. It has a flavor of turpentine, and owing to the large amount of 

 fiber which some of them contain, some one has humorously described 

 it as resembling a ball of yarn soaked in turpentine. There is a good 

 opportunity of improving the quality of this fruit and creating for it 

 a good demand in the States. 



BANANAS. 



Bananas grow almost spontaneously in all parts of the island but 

 are not exported. (PI. XXXVI, fig 1.) There are several varieties 

 grown and the} 7 form an important part of the food of the natives. 

 Several kinds of what are known as plantains are cooked green and 

 used by the natives. They take the place of bread in a large measure. 

 The red banana, the ladies' finger, the peach, and the ordinary banana 

 of our commerce, are common and used by many. They sell in the 

 interior very cheaply, often as low as a cent per dozen. Many bananas 

 are grown as coffee shade, and in such localities the fruit often goes to 

 waste or is used as pig feed. For its best development the banana 

 requires a sheltered locality and moist atmosphere. Where strong 

 winds prevail the leaves become riddled and fail to perform their 

 functions. The best bananas in the island are in the interior among 

 the mountains and in other sheltered localities. 



There is no reason why the banana should not be greatly improved by 

 selection and proper cultivation, and be made an important factor 

 among the export tropical fruits. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 2.) 



