22 



large, numerous, black on the upper half of the fruit but small and 

 light near the apex; the skin thick, tough, and easily removed with 

 a layer of flesh clinging to it; the flesh a bright yellow, very juicy, 

 and without fiber, except for a thin strip on the ventral margin of 

 the seed ; the flavor subacid, spicy, and very agreeable. 



The tree is a vigorous grower, open and spreading in habit. It 

 comes into bearing at two or three years after grafting, and is a 

 regular and prolific bearer, the fruit of an individual tree being 

 uniform in size for a given crop. The fruits are sometimes attacked 

 by fruit flies, though seldom seriously. They keep well after picking, 

 and are attractive and suitable for both home and market use. 



PORTO RICAN TYPES. 



In different sections of Porto Rico the same type of native mango 

 is frequently known under several names, while just as frequently 

 various types are given the same name. In spite of the resulting 

 confusion and duplication of terms, it has been found that the most 

 important native sorts do not grow in all sections but are for the 

 most part confined to comparatively small areas, probably because 

 of climatic conditions. In these given areas practically all trees of 

 a certain type, although seedlings, produce remarkably uniform 

 fruit, often as much so as that of grafted trees. Their fruit is 

 frequently inferior to imported varieties, although most of them 

 produce plants which are very satisfactory for stocks. The following 

 are descriptions of the most desirable kinds and those most commonly 

 found for sale at markets : 



Blanco. — This is a type (PI. XI, fig. 1) found most commonly in 

 the western part of the island, practically all of the mango trees in 

 some localities belonging to it (PI. I, fig. 2). The most prolific and 

 popular of the Porto Eican mangoes, it is the principal one used 

 for shipment to the different towns of the island. The fruit is oval 

 and plump, with a narrow, flattened cavity and broad, low, V-shaped 

 beak. The skin, smooth, tough, and light yellow in color, adheres to 

 the flesh; the flesh is yellow and juicy, comprising only two-thirds 

 of the total weight of the fruit and having a sweet, pleasing flavor, 

 not strong with turpentine but without richness. The seed is large 

 and the fiber long, coarse, and plentiful. An average fruit weighs 

 about 7 ounces and measures 3£ inches long, 2f inches wide, and 2£ 

 inches thick. 



Mangotina— This kind (PI. XI, fig. 1) is found most commonly 

 near Ponce. The fruit is rounded and plump, weighing about 5| 

 ounces and measuring 2f inches long by 2£ inches wide. It resembles 

 Blanco, but differs in being blushed over a broader area. The skin 

 is thin, the fiber long and plentiful, and the flavor of second quality 

 among Porto Eican mangoes. 



