26 
are slow in developing. In most instances the plant fails to enlarge 
sufficiently in any later period of growth. The newly formed roots 
of papaya cuttings are very delicate and form a fine network which 
is easily broken in transplanting. (Fig. 27.) 
Where transplanting is necessary, the cuttings should be rooted in 
individual containers and taken up with the least possible disturbance 
of the roots in the mass of soil. The highest percentage of successes 
obtained under the conditions employed was with cuttings about 2 
inches in diameter and 24 inches in length. These had been set to a 
depth of 10 or 12 inches in coarse, basaltic sand (volcanic cinders). 
It was observed that this method of rooting does best during the 
cooler months of the year. (Fig. 28.) The results of the experi- 
ment, considered in their entirety, did not indicate that the propaga- 
tion of the papaya by means of cuttings is of much practical value. 
Figure 20. 
-Seedling papayas ready for potting preparatory to being set out in about 
eigbt weeks' time 
GRAFTING 
Successful experiments in grafting the papaj^a have been reported 
from various parts of the world. Fairchild and Simmonds (6) con- 
ducted some interesting experiments in grafting the papaya during 
the several years previous to 1913. Their greatest success was at- 
tained in grafting small seedlings about 8 or 10 inches high, using 
scions 3 or 4 inches long and about the diameter of a lead pencil, 
which were lateral branches of seedling trees known to produce choice 
fruit. The large percentage of successful grafts, their rapid growth, 
and early fruiting habits indicated great possibilities. Later inves- 
tigations in Florida, however, showed that when the papaya was 
propagated in this way continuously for three or four generations 
the variety degenerated rapidly. The grafted plants failed to make 
vigorous growth, and the fruit remained small and inferior in quality. 
No explanation of this behavior seems as yet to have been made. 
The condition is very similar to that which takes place in the short 
