22 M 



THE CUBA REVIEW. 



THE MANGO, AN IMPORTANT FRUIT FOR CUBA. 



BV H. HAROLD HUME. 



The cultivation of the mango is well 

 •worthy of most careful attention on the part 

 of Cuhan fruit growers, for it is the highest 

 priced fruit in American markets to-day, the 

 avocado possibly excepted. 



There is much difference between the 

 improved fiber-free mangos and the common 

 stringy, poor-flavored kinds, as there is be- 

 tween a luscious Grimes Golden apple and 

 the meanest crab that grows in the fence 

 row thicket. 



The Mango in Cuban Soil. 



The Cuban soil is well adapted to the 

 cultivation of the mango. The tree, although 

 an introduced one, grows in a practically 

 wild state throughout the island, and some 

 fruit of very good quality is produced, the 

 season lasting from May until September. 

 Freedom from frost, dry weather during the 

 blossoming and fruit settling period, abund- 

 ance of moisture, either supplied from irri- 

 gation or rainfall after the fruit is set, suit- 

 able, "ivell drained soil are the requisites in 

 mango culture. These are all met by the 

 natural advantages of Cuban conditions. 



The shipping quality of the mango, when 

 picked at the right stage and carefully han- 

 dled and packed is good. Shipments have 

 been made in good condition from Jamaica 

 to England and from Martinique to Paris. 

 M'angoes could be shipped from Cuba to 

 New York, transferred to transatlantic 

 steamers and landed in England in less time. 



The trees are long lived and very prolific, 

 fifteen hundred to twenty-five hundred fruits 

 being a very usual crop. The oldest Mul- 

 goba mango tree in Florida, now eighteen 

 years old, is said to be carrying a crop this 

 season of fifteen bushels, end that with 

 good care, it would easily have had a crop 

 of thirty to forty bushels. 



Methods of Propagation. 



Plants can, of course, be raised from 

 seed, but these are worthless and valuable 

 only as stocks on which to graft improved 

 varieties. 



While a number of methods of propaga- 

 tion may be used, I .am convinced that the 

 best tree for the orchardist to plant, and 

 the nurserymen to send out, is a pot-grown 

 seedling with a top of some good variety 

 inarched upon it. These can be transplant- 

 ed without difficulty and with good care will 

 produce fruit in three seasons after setting 

 out. 



The seeds should be planted in pots, and 

 when about two years old, with trunks a 

 half inch or a little more in diameter, they 

 are ready for inarching. The pot-grown 

 seedling must be brought in contact with a 

 well matured branch on the tree from which 

 it is desired to propagate. Cut away a small 

 strip about three inches long from the side 

 of the seedling, and a corresponding strip 

 from the side of the branch. The cuts 

 should be made through the bark and re- 

 moving only a little of the wood. Place 

 these two cut surfaces in good contact, and 

 bind them together with strong, soft twine. 

 Examine the union in two or three weeks, 

 without removing the twine, just spreading 

 it a little to see whether growth has started. 

 As soon as growth has started make a small 

 incision in the branch below the union, cut- 

 ting about one-quarter of the way through. 

 From week to week this incision should be 

 increased in depth and a similar one started 

 to remove the top of the seedling. In six to 

 eight weeks, depending upon the rapidity 

 with which union takes place, the two parts 

 may be entirely severed, leaving the new 

 top on the seedling. As soon as this is ac- 

 complished remove the potted plant, place in 

 a shady place, free from tlie effects of wind 



Senora Maii^o, Cuban. Full size of fruit. 

 3% inches. 



Native Cuban Mango. Full size of fruit, 

 3^4 inches. 



