98 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



Much more important than the mechanical or chemical 

 composition, in most cases, is the drainage of the land. The 

 mango avenue in the Botanic Garden at Rio de Janeiro illus- 

 trates this. If the subsoil is permanently wet or poorly drained, 

 the tree cannot be expected to fruit profusely. 



While the mango is more susceptible to frost than the hardier 

 races of the avocado, mature trees have withstood temperatures 

 below the freezing point without injury. In general it may 

 be said that most varieties, if not in active growth at the time 

 cold weather strikes them, will withstand 28 or 29 above zero, 

 provided such temperatures are not of long duration. Young 

 trees in vigorous growth may be injured seriously by a tem- 

 perature of 32. At Miami, Florida, five-year-old trees of one 

 or two varieties were killed outright by a freeze of 26.5. Old 

 seedling trees have gone through temperatures lower than this 

 without losing more than the smallest branches. The cul- 

 tivated kinds show slight differences in hardiness. Observa- 

 tions have been made at Saharanpur and lists drawn up show- 

 ing the relative susceptibility to frost of many varieties. The 

 vagaries of the 1917 freeze in southern Florida, however, have 

 resulted in an impression that such lists are not altogether 

 dependable, and that much depends on local conditions, the 

 physiological state of the tree, and other factors as yet not 

 understood. 



The mango resists heavy winds much better than does the 

 avocado. The wood is tough, and ordinarily the tree (except 

 in the Cambodiana group) assumes a low compact form if not 

 crowded. It is not essential, therefore, that the young tree 

 be trained with a view to making it of such form that it will 

 be able to withstand a hurricane or cyclone. 



Mango culture in California presents some unusual aspects. 

 Although experience is limited, it is apparent that the great 

 variations in temperature between night and day, coupled with 

 the comparatively cold winters, have the effect of retarding 



