11 
change (see p. 26), but such treatment can not be depended upon to 
do so. 
In Plate X, figure 1 , is shown a staminate tree which, so far as 
observed, produced no fruit-bearing flowers. It was cut to a stump 
about 6 or 8 feet high, and soon sent out side branches upon which 
only pistillate (female) flowers have been found. 
THINNING THE FRUITS. 
There is a great variation in productivity among papayas. In 
some there is a cluster of several fruits in the axil of every leaf, 
while in others only a single fruit is to be found at each axil, and 
still others may have only a few fruits scattered up and down the 
trunk. When the fruits are borne in clusters it frequently becomes 
necessary to thin them out because there is not sufficient space for 
their development, and if not thinned they crowd each other into 
distorted shapes. The thinning may be easily and quickly per- 
formed with a knife when the fruits are young. 
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING. 
A number of tropical agricultural journals have reported what 
purports to be an instance of artificial nutrition in the papaya, 
credited to Mr. Jesse, of Jolo, Philippine Islands. 1 In this treat- 
ment it is said that a hole is bored in the trunk about 6 inches from 
the ground, 1 inch deep, and of a diameter " slightly larger than the 
red rubber tubing obtainable at drug stores." Fill a quart bottle 
half full of sugar and dissolve in water. When the sugar is dissolved, 
connect the bottle with the hole in the tree by the rubber tubing. 
In 24 hours the tree is supposed to have absorbed the contents of the 
bottle. 
RENEWING THE PLANTINGS. 
Papaya trees are of short life. Specimens have been known to 
continue in bearing for 15 years, but the period of profitable pro- 
ductivity is usually not over 3 or 4 years. Trees can be grown so 
easily and so quickly that it is the custom to renew the plantings 
often. 
THE FRUIT CROP. 
The first ripe fruits may be expected in about a year from the time 
when the plants are set in the orchard or garden, and thereafter fruits 
and flowers in all stages of development may be in evidence at all 
times of the year. In the cool season the fruits are slow in ripening, 
thus causing a short crop and high prices for a month or two. At 
this time the growers often receive 3 to 3} cents per pound for fruit 
which in summer would not bring more than 1 or 1 \ cents. 
i Trop. Agr. and Mag. Ceylon Agr. Soc., 37 (1911), No. 1, pp. 32, 33. 
