Hunt Institute Archives Text Discovery Platform

Page transcription

2
based upon the selection of superior seedlings of local origin,
and the introduction of grafted varieties of mango from the Old World. It should be remembered,
however, that the aboriginal inhabitants of tropical America had improved many of their fruits through seed selection,
thus raising the general level of the species to make the product of greater value to man. The pineapple is probably the best example
of improvement through vegetative propagation, which was possible because superior forms were easily propagated by suckers. The art
of grafting does not seem to have been known - or, at least,
practiced, by the aboriginal Americans.

The situation today is something like this: Commercial production of citrus fruits is extending rapidly. Banana culture has
spread into several new regions, and more growers are involved than was the case half a century ago. Pineapple culture prospers in
several countries. Avocados and mangos are beginning to be planted commercially in several tropical countries, stimulated by the importance
which these fruits have attained commercially in California, Florida and several regions in the Old World. The pressing
need for crop diversification is causing horticulturists to devote attention to fruits which have not yet been commercialised on an
extensive scale. Many fruits have been included

All this interest and activity draws attention to many problems,
One of these is the local supply of good nursery stock. Throughout tropical America, nurseries producing well-formed, vigorous, accurately labelled nursery trees are
few and far between. In past years