24 
BULLETIN 61, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 
culate freely in the box and tends to prevent the development of 
damping-on fungi, which are destructive to many kinds of young 
seedlings. A top-dressing of coarse, black volcanic sand was used 
successfully at the station in place of the coral sand. After three to 
four weeks the seedlings should be of suitable size for transplanting 
to 4-inch pots. (Fig. 26.) They may be kept in these for three or 
four weeks longer before being transplanted to their permanent- 
place in the orchard. The seedlings should be protected against 
unusual temperatures, wind, insect attack, and the like. 
Figure 24. — The red-fleshed papayas developed on a plant normally producing yellow- 
fleshed fruits. These two fruits were also of different shape and flavor from the 
rest of the fruit on the same tree 
CUTTINGS 
Growing papaya plants from cuttings has been successfully 
accomplished in several countries. Its possibilities have been demon- 
strated at the station on several occasions. Probably the most suc- 
cessful experiment at the station in recent years was that made in 
1923-24, when cuttings varying from one-half to 3 inches in diameter 
and from 6 to 24 inches in length were used. The cuttings are made 
from side branches which are taken from the trunks of vigorous 
fruit-bearing plants. Some plants fail to produce these lateral 
branches, but they usually will do so if the terminal growth is cut 
off. The basal ends of cuttings should be at the nodes. Entire 
branches root better than sections and give a more natural form of 
mature plant. Entire branches when used should be removed from 
