158 
CULTURE OF THE MANGO. 
The bark of the common Mango, especially that from the root, is made use of 
in medicine, as are also the seeds and leaves. The bark is bitter and aromatic, and 
thought to be useful in cases of diarrhoea, and leucorrhcea ; the seeds are reputed I 
to possess anthelmintic powers, and the leaves relieve the tooth-ache. 
Besides the common Mango several other species of Mangi/era deserve the : 
attention of cultivators ; for although the fruit of no other species is so good as that 
of the one previously described, yet the different kinds are more or less prized in 
the countries where they naturally grow, and would probably, by cultivation, be fully j 
equal to many of the common fruits of our gardens at present grown. Amongst 
these may be selected — 
The Lukshmee [Mangifera sylvatica). — This forms in Silhet a tree nearly as 
large as the common Mango ; the leaves are large, alternate, lanceolate, and of a 
deep glossy green. The flowers are produced in terminal panicles, and have only | 
one fertile stamen. The fruit is smooth, obliquely conical, in appearance not unlike 5 
a small-sized common Mango, and although possessing few of the good qualities 
of the common kind, is yet eaten by the natives, and considered nutritious and 
wholesome. It is also used in Medicine. I) 
The Manga-utan {Mangifera glauca). — A native of the Moluccas, where it * 
forms a tree about the same size as the last ; the leaves are large, oval, and tapering J i 
to both ends, of a blue green beneath, and placed thinly on the branches. The r 
panicles are terminal and short. Fruit about the same size as the Lukshmee, and : 
much like it in flavour. 
The Long- fruited Mango {Mangifera macrocarpa) is a native of Java, and 
grows to the height of sixty feet or more. The leaves are long, linear-lanceolate, on 
long petioles, and are scattered thinly on the branches. The panicles of flowers are 
terminal, and the /rmi is long, and somewhat kidney-shaped. sweet, with a 
slight acid ; very inferior in flavour to the common Mango. 
The Mertam or Gandaria {Mangifera oppositifolia). — This kind forms a shrub 
which sometimes reaches the height of thirty feet, but more commonly it is seen not 
higher than fifteen feet. It is a native of Java and Pegu, where it is cultivated for 
the sake of its fruit. The leaves are opposite, on short petioles, lanceolate, and 
tapering towards both ends. Panicles short, both terminal and axillary. Flowers 
pale yellow. Stamens five, of which four are usually fertile. Fruit pale yellow, 
smooth, compressed, about the size of a small golden pippin apple, but different in 
form. It is universally eaten in Burma, and much esteemed. 
The generic name Mangifera is derived from Mangha or Manghos, the native > 
name of the fruit, oxidifero, to bear. 
In cultivating the above species the same general treatment may be given to all. 
Some of the varieties of the common Mango have already fruited, both in this j 
country and on the European continent, and the fruit proving of a first-rate quality,^ I 
it certainly deserves the best attention of cultivators. ■ 
With respect to soil, it may be worth remarking that in all tropical countries the 
