PROPAGATION. 



Where it is desired to reproduce the qualities of the parent tree, 

 simple and satisfactory methods for general use in mango propaga- 

 tion are inarching, or approach grafting, and bark grafting. Seed- 

 ling trees of Cambodiana and a few other types will, it is claimed, 

 produce fruit very similar to that of the parent and sufficiently 

 uniform for orchard use, but seedlings should not be used for general 

 planting until more information regarding the habits of the differ- 

 ent types has been secured. 



When any of the asexual methods of propagation are used, success 

 in the work and development of the tree will depend mainly upon 

 the seedling stock. To secure good stocks seed just taken from the 

 fruit or those which have been removed only a few days should be 

 used, as the seed lose their viability quickly and are very liable to 

 decay after being removed from the fruits. To insure prompt 

 germination and normal plants the seed should be husked before 

 planting, care being taken not to injure them in any way. This may 

 be quickly done by peeling off with a sharp knife a narrow strip of 

 the husk which may then be readily opened. The husks of many of 

 the East Indian varieties are very thin and easily removed, but those 

 of the uncultivated Porto Rican types are very thick and tough and 

 their removal difficult. Delay in growth and injury to plants are 

 proportionately greater where the seed coat is not taken off. 



To test the effect of taking off the husk three lots of 100 seeds 

 each were planted, one with the husks removed, one with the husks 

 cut on one side, and one with the husks entire. The seeds, all very 

 uniform as to size and shape, had been taken from uniform fruits 

 of the native variety Blanco, which has a very thick seed coat, and 

 planted immediately after removal from the fruit. The following 

 table gives the detailed record of the germination : 



This shows not only that the total number of husked seed germi- 

 nated was somewhat greater than of unhusked seed but that the time 

 required for germination was much shorter. Where the husks were 

 13137°— 18 2 



