THE MANGO. 47 



State, only seedlings of the common, or turpentine mangoes having 

 been grown up to that time. The high grade fruit has practically 

 all been consumed in the localities where it was produced, so that 

 really none but the poorer varieties have found their way to a few 

 northern cities in the sample lots occasionally shipped from Florida. 

 The result of selling these inferior kinds has, no doubt, been to 

 create an unfavorable impression among those persons who tasted 

 the fruit, which only the introduction of the better varieties will 

 eventually dispel. An interesting illustration of the favorable re- 

 ception which awaits the improved mangoes now being grown, was 

 reported to the writer in a recent letter from Mr. M. S. Burbank, 

 of Florida, an expert mango propagator: "I think this mango 

 (the Mulgoba) will be liked by most people when first tasted. A 

 friend of mine who grows mangoes, had a lot of Mulgobas sent to 

 him in North Carolina last summer. Twelve persons were present 

 when we opened the box, and all but one one of them pronounced 

 the fruit the most delicious they had ever eaten." 



The mango has a firm foothold in England, and the demand 

 there for it is increasing yearlj', the only present source of supply 

 being far away India. This, at least, demonstrates the shipping 

 qualities of this fruit, and incidentally indicates that the market for 

 the mango in the United States is likely to be a good one in the 

 near future for all the mangoes that can be nroduced in the extrerne 

 south of Florida, to which its culture is necessarily limited for climatic 

 reasons. 



In view of the facts, we may readily accept this statement by 

 Lyster H. Dewey, Acting Botanist in the Office of Botanical Investi- 

 gations and Experiments, Bureau of Plant Industry. It occurs in 

 the preface to the comprehensive Government publication, "The 

 Mango in Porto Rico." 



"The mango is as yet little known in the United States, having 

 been represented in our markets only by fruit of inferior varieties. 

 These give no suggestion of the qualities of the better sorts, and 

 tend rather to discourage than increase the demand. If an effort 

 similar to that which brought the banana into favor in the United 

 States, could place an adequate supply of good mangoes before 

 the public, there is no apparent reason why this new tropical fruit 

 should not repeat the history of its now popular predecessor." The 

 importation of bananas now amounts to about eight million dollars 

 a year. Truly a promising outlook is here for Florida mango 

 growers should this remarkable prediction be but partly realized. 



The mango is an evergreen. In Florida it varies in height 

 from 30 to 60 feet. It forms a dense dome-shaped top with a spread 

 equal to about one-half the height of tree. The leaves are lance- 

 shaped, about 10 inches long and two or more wide, with a smooth 

 and shining surface. The young leaves are first pink, then red be- 

 fore turning green. The bark is gray and smooth. Its flowers are 

 reddish white and not particularly attractive. They are borne at 

 the end of the branches. 



The fruit may be red, green or yellow, beautifully blushed with 

 red, sometimes dotted with little black or brown spots. A striking 

 peculiarity i? the long willowy stem. The mango is usually kidney- 



