THE MANGO 101 



CULTIVATION 



The best site for the mango orchard is one which has good 

 drainage together with soil of such nature that it will dry out 

 thoroughly when no rain falls for a few weeks. In regions 

 where the soil is deep and the trees consequently grow to large 

 size, they should not be set closer than 35 by 35 feet. There 

 are a few dwarf varieties, such as D'Or, which can be set much 

 closer than this, but most of the Indian kinds ultimately make 

 trees of good size. G. Marshall Woodrow recommends plant- 

 ing 20 by 20 feet, but in America this has not been found a good 

 practice. Closer planting than 30 by 30 feet is undesirable 

 except with dwarf varieties. Seedlings grow to larger size than 

 budded or grafted trees, and need proportionately more space. 

 On deep soils they will usually come to crowd each other in 

 time if planted less than 40 or 45 feet apart. 



April and May are considered the best months for planting 

 in Florida. Midsummer planting is, however, much more 

 successful than with the avocado. The principal point to be 

 observed is the condition of the young tree at the time of plant- 

 ing. If it is not in active growth, it can be set at almost any 

 season of the year, provided the weather is warm. In India 

 it is recommended to plant at the beginning of the rainy 

 season. 



Holes 2 to 3 feet broad and deep should be prepared in ad- 

 vance of planting. Woodrow recommends that 20 pounds of 

 fresh bones be placed in the bottom of each hole before filling 

 in the soil. In Florida a small amount of commercial fertilizer 

 is commonly used. The object in preparing the holes is the 

 same as in planting other fruits, viz., to loosen the subsoil so 

 that the roots can develop readily in all directions, and to 

 place in the ground a supply of food for the young tree. It is 

 sometimes recommended that stable manure be incorporated 

 with the soil ; this is a desirable practice, but it should be kept 



