DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 279 



Gabgab, Oapgap, or Oaogao (Guam). 



Vernacular name for a tree, En/thrina indica, and for Tacca pinnatifida, the Poly- 

 nesian arrowroot. 



Gabi (Philippines). See Caladium colocasia. 

 Gado (Guam). See Dioscorea spinosa. 

 Gafau (Guam). See Melastoma marianum. 

 Gafo (Guam). Local name for a fully ripe coconut. 

 Gadye or Gaye (Guam). See Lens phaseoloides. 

 Gafus (Guam). See Medinilla rosea. 

 Gago (Guam). See Casuarina eguiselifolia. 

 Galag or Galak (Guam). 



The bird's-nest fern, Neottopieris nidus. 

 Gallito (Panama.) See Poinciana pulcherrima. 

 Gamot sa buni (Philippines). See Herpetica alcUa. 

 Ganda (Philippines). See Allium sativum. 

 Gandul (Porto Eico). See Cajan cajan. 

 ,Gaogao (Guam). See Gabgab. 

 Gaogao ucban (Guam). A species of Phyllanthus. 

 Gardens. 



Settlers in tropical islands are apt to be disappointed in their first attempts at hor- 

 ticulture. Many take with them a supply of seeds of vegetables and fruits which 

 grow in temperate regions, and plant them only to find that_ the seed fail to germi- 

 nate, or that the plants, though apparently thriving, fail to produce fruit. The 

 causes of disappointment in many cases are the loss of vitality of the seeds and 

 not planting at the proper time of the year. There are, however, certain plants 

 which require a cool temperature and can not possibly be propagated in a tropical 

 climate at the level of the sea. Thus it is useless to expect Irish potatoes or cauli- 

 flower to grow, and apples, pears, plums, and quinces are out of the question. 



All tomatoes, introduced eggplants, and beans should be planted toward the end of 

 the rainy season or at the beginning of the dry season, say November or December. 

 Introduced watermelons, muskmelons, pumpkins, and squashes should be planted 

 after the dry season has set in, and watered if necessary. The red peppers, Legu- 

 minosae growing naturally in the Tropics, bananas, plantains, and the perennial 

 eggplant found in the island of Guam may be planted in the rainy season, which is 

 also the time for transplanting cacao, coffee, orange, and other trees, for setting out 

 hedges, and planting maize on the uplands. 



During the summer months the rainfall is sometimes so excessive that the surface 

 of the land remains inundated for a day or two, so that such plants as squashes, 

 melons, tomatoes, and lima beans are killed outright. Provisions should be made 

 for drainage. During the rainy months the atmosphere is frequently saturated with 

 moisture and all organic substances, including living succulent plants, are subject to 

 decay. Tomatoes planted by the writer at the beginning of the rainy season grew 

 well at first, but the fruit rotted while still green, and melons planted at the same 

 time were attacked by some fungus disease and failed to reach maturity. 



Certain plants appear to thrive best if planted first in boxes raised from the earth 

 and protected from insects. Beets, collards, and lettuce should be planted in this 

 way, and set out in the garden when they have four or six leaves. Tobacco is 

 invariably planted first in sementeras (seed beds), then transferred to larger beds, 

 shaded with muslin or branches, where the individual plants have room to grow, and 

 finally set out in the fields. Plants with a taproot, like radishes and beets, must be 



