234 GARDEN PLANTS. PART IT. 



The Mango, like all other fruit-trees, is much benefited by 

 having the earth around it removed, and the roots left exposed 

 for a space of two or three weeks. This should be done in 

 November, and in December the roots should be well supplied 

 with manure, and then covered in again with entirely fresh 

 earth, and not that which had been previously removed. Like- 

 wise, when practicable, during the month of April, when the 

 fruit is swelling, copious drenchings of the soil around the 

 stem with water or liquid manure would no doubt be of 

 great advantage. The Mango usually makes two growths in 

 the course of the year, one about the end of February and 

 another in July. It sometimes makes a third one in October; 

 when it does so it may be pretty well decided that the new 

 wood then formed will produce no blossoms at the usual time 

 in February. 



In the neighbourhood of Calcutta, when the trees are in full 

 blossom, nothing is considered so prejudicial as the morning fogs 

 prevalent at that season. When they occur to any great extent, 

 nearly all the flowers drop without setting fruit. 



The two principal localities in India where Mangos of the 

 finest description are said to be produced are Mazagon at Bom- 

 bay, and Malda ; but to what circumstances the superior merit 

 of the fruits raised in those spots is attributable, whether to any 

 peculiarity in the soil or climate, or to some particular mode of 

 cultivation, it seems hardly possible to decide. 



Spondias dulcis. 



OTAHEITE APPLE. 



Bilaetee Umra. 



A small tree, native of Otaheite and the Friendly Islands, 

 with handsome foliage resembling that of the ornamental Sumach 

 of the English gardens. It blossoms with sprays of small yellow 

 flowers about the beginning of March, and ripens its fruit about 

 the end of September. 



The fruit, which has a large fibre-covered stone in the centre, 

 is of the size and form of a large hen's egg, and of a deep amber 

 colour, blotched for the most part with rusty russet like the 

 colour of tarnished gold. Its appearance is very inviting, as is 

 also its exquisite fragrance, resembling that of the Quince. To 



