163 



In the report for 1873, it is stated: " The numerous varieties of 

 Indian Mango, impo ted in 1869, some of which now assume 

 the aspect of trees, are cipible of extensive propagation by 

 grafting, and this will be resorted to next spring. Although the cli- 

 mate of Castleton is extremely favourable for the growth of these 

 plants, the reverse is the case so far as the production of fruit is con- 

 cerned, especially in the early stage of growth." 



In the next Report we find it stated : " New Mangoes — Last Spring 

 eighteen new mangoes were propagated by the process of inarching, 

 the allied system of grafting not having been yet successfully pur- 

 sued." And in the Report for 1876-77: "Indian Mangoes — Two 

 dozen plants of the East Indian Mangoes have been propagated this 

 season by inarching. They are worked on stocks of the common 

 forms, the union of the scion and the stock is accomplished in six or 

 eight weeks, and a further period of six weeks has to be allowed for 

 the gradual severing from the parent tree ; unfortunately the trees oc- 

 cupy a low, wet piece of ground, on the level and within atmospheric 

 influence of the Wag Water River. The ordinary mangoes along the 

 line or' the river never, or very rarely, fruit ; the East Indian trees 

 have flowered regularly f »r several years, but only in a single instance 

 has the fruit set." 



The succeeding Annual Reports record that the Bombay Mangoes 

 were steadily propagated by inarching, and distributed throughout 

 the island. In i 884. grafted plants of th« following varieties were 

 received from the Botanic Gardens, Martinique : — 



D'Or Cedot 



Julie Sabot 



Amelie Croesus 



Freycinet Poiget Dore 



Martin Jacot 

 Fifine Gabrielle 



In his Annual Report for the year the Director writes : " It is 

 often asked, can nothing be done with the thousands of tons of man- 

 goes annually produced in this island and for the most part left to lie 

 on the ground and rot for want of using ? The mango tree in all its 

 various forms has now been thoroughly naturalised in the island, and 

 since 1790 it has spread spontaneously and abundantly everywhere. 

 It especially affects land thrown out of cul ivation and the sides of 

 roads and streams where its seeds are cast aside by men or animals, 

 and it practically re-clothes the hills and lower slopes with forest. It 

 thus enables the land to recuperate its powers under its abundant 

 shade-giving foliage. 



" To the mango, possibly, more than any tree in the island (with 

 the exception, perhaps, of the logwood) is due the reforesting of our 

 denuded areas ; and, as in consequence of the changes taking place in 

 the climate indigenous plants are unable to maintain their ground, it 

 is fortunate we possess in a vigorous and hardy exotic like the mango, 

 the means for counteracting the baneful effects of deforestation. 



" As to the utilization of the fruit of the mango on a large scale, 

 there is a vast and practically untouched field here for the chemistry 

 of organic products. Some would suggest that the best varieties 

 might be canned or preserved for exportation, or made into preserves 



