168 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



recently, methods of grafting by inarching and patch grafting have come 

 into use. The usual method of budding deciduous trees has not given 

 satisfaction with the mango. 



Inarching has long been in use in India. It has been adapted in 

 Florida with many modifications. 



The mango seeds are generally planted in pots four or five inches in 

 diameter and eight to twelve inches deep. These may be made from cypress 

 shingles or by using the internodes of rather large bamboos. The seeds are 

 laid flatwise in the soil and covered to a depth of about an inch and a half. 

 The pots must be watered at frequent intervals. 



Best results are secured if seedlings are kept under partial shade. 

 When they have attained a height of ten to twelve inches they are ready 

 to be inarched. The pots are brought near the tree from which scions are 

 to be secured. If the tree is so tall that its branches cannot be bent down to 

 the ground, it will be necessary to provide a scaffolding to support the pots. 

 The tree selected for this purpose should be one bearing the best quality 

 of fruit. Branches for inarching should be in such condition that the bark 

 will peel freely. A strip of bark about three inches long is removed from 

 the side of the stock. A similar strip is also removed from the scion and 

 the two are brought together so that the cut surfaces will fit closely and are 

 securely held by wrapping. In about two weeks a cross-cut may be made in 

 the stock two or three inches above the union and in the scion, just below 

 the union. After two more weeks, these cuts may be deepened. At the 

 end of six weeks all plants should be carefully inspected. If a good union 

 has been effected the plant may now be severed from the tree and the top oi 

 stock removed. The plants should now be transferred to a plant house or 

 the shade of a tree, where they should remain until one good flush of 

 growth has matured. They are now ready to set in the field. 



Budding the mango by the square patch method is also successful. 

 For this purpose the stock or branch should be an inch or more in diameter. 

 A patch of bark one and one-half inches long and three-quarters of an inch 

 wide is removed with a sharp knife or chisel. Next the desired bud with an 

 equal amount of bark attached is secured and fitted securely to the stock. 

 The bud should be held in place with raffia or other wrapping material. 

 The wrapping should not be too tight. A suitable form of grafting wax 

 should be used to smear the cut edge and keep out water. The whcie stem 

 for several inches above and below the bud should be covered with waxed 

 cloth, leaving only the bud open to view. Budding should take place when 

 the sap is moving freely. 



Mango trees should be planted about thirty feet apart each way. 

 They should be properly cared for so as to form low-headed trees with 

 strong branches from which the fruit can be easily gathered. 



It is advisable to inter-till and during the early stages of growth inter- 

 cropping may often take place. 



The trees begin to bear from five to nine years of age. 



