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MANGOES AND AVOCADOES
Propagation Easily Done by the Bottle
Method of Grafting.
THIS method was discovered by me
some two years ago. I would have
given it to the public before but have been
waiting to try it out thoroughly. After ex-
perimenting, I find it to be a success in every
way.
This method is very simple. Take a
branch from the tree you wish to make the
graft from. Have plenty of wood so you
can let the bottom of the graft come down
below the union eight or ten inches. Then
splice the two together by cutting away
the bark and some of the wood of each. Tidy
up the cut ends neatly, wrapping them
with a split piece of straw.
Then fill a bottle with water and stick
the lower end of the graft into it tying
the bottle to the tree; this will keep the graft
alive until the union between the two barks
is made. Then cut off the graft at the lower
end of the union and cut the string in places
to allow it to fall off.
I have named this the "Bottle Method."
In making the union do not let over two
inches of the graft stick above your
proliferation.
This seems to do better on pears, with
but little care, but the mangoes are harder
to graft. Be very careful to match the
bark.
Plant your seed where you wish them to
stand. When they are about one inch in
diameter is when to do the grafting, using
grafting wood from near the top of the tree
that you wish to propagate from.
THERE has been a bountiful supply
of mangoes, both in Palm Beach and
Dade counties this season. The
fruit is of a superior quality and for table
use, when properly prepared, is superior
to the peach.
The newer varieties are yet scarce and
high in price, as there are comparatively
few trees in these counties that have
reached the bearing age.
Among the new varieties which have
proven to be superior fruit and fibreless,
are the Sundersha, Mulgoba, Bennett, Cecil
Rajapouri, Amini and others.
The Sundersha trees are proving to be
exceptionally heavy fruiter. The fruit is
very large, has no fibre and is most de-
licious. At the Government Sub-Tropical
Station there is one tree of this variety
that has borne fruit for the last two
years. Mr. John Beach, of West Palm
Beach, also has this variety of trees in
bearing. There are others scattered through
the two counties. The young trees are
making a rapid growth and in a short time
quantities of this delicious fruit will be
on the market. Mr. Beach is propagating
the Sundersha as well as all other varieties
larger quantities.
The Mulgoba has been considered
a rather shy bearer until this year. It is
evident that the Mulgoba is a class of tree
that needs considerable age before it comes
into profitable fruiting, as nearly all the
older trees are loaded with fruit this
season.
The Bennett has been fruited here for
several years and has proven to be a good
bearer and the fruit is one of the finest
grown.
The Cecil is propagated by Messrs. Hick-
son Bros. of Miami. This variety has prov-
en to be a splendid bearer and of exception-
ally good quality and a very handsome
fruit. Mr. Hickson is now receiving or-
ders from New York and other northern
markets at $5.00 per crate, f. o. b., Miami.
While passing through Miami, Messrs. Hick-
son Bros. recently the writer invited to call and test the Cecil, which invitation
was gladly accepted. The grove was vis-
ited and a large number of trees were found
partially loaded with fruit. Messrs. Hick-
son have been shipping from these trees
for several weeks.
There is a handsomer tree grown than
the mango. The foliage is long and taper-
ing and when mature is dark green and
very dense. The new growth is a beautiful
pink, shading to a dark red, which gives
the tree a most charming appearance. Going
to the house, Mr. Hickson selected some
fine specimens of the Cecil and with a
sharp knife cut the pulp from the long
tapering stem, passing it around in the
skin. Accompanying the mango was a
spoon with which the fruit was eaten from
the half skin. The meat or pulp being of the consistency of a
Crawford peach. Years ago it was thought
that there was no fruit grown equal to a
good, fully-matured Crawford peach, but
when the writer ate the mango he con-
cluded that the peach was not in this class
in delicacy of flavor it cannot be sur-
passed.
The original Mulgoba tree, owned by
Mr. George A. Cole, is bearing well this
year, and the Mulgoba seedling, grown by
Grace of Mango Trees
Mr. Wallace R. Moses, of West Palm
Beach and which produced such splendid
fruit last year, is again bearing this year
the same quality of fibreless fruit. This
tree, being a native, will be an extremely
valuable addition to the mango trees of
Florida.
When it comes to a preference of kind
it is hard to choose, as all of these choice
sorts of mangoes are different in character
and flavor, and so delicious that the best
one cannot be said to be the best. All
the heavy bearers will undoubtedly become
favorites, and those that have so far shown
this characteristic most strongly are the
Sundersha, the Cecil, the Amini, and the
Fernandez. This last will delight those
who are partial to a fascinating sub-acid
flavor and a creamy, fibreless fruit of a
dainty aroma.
Every gardener locating in Florida should
set out near his home some of these man-
goes, as well as citrus fruits and avoca-
dos. They are a most healthy fruit, and
give a refreshing change to the diet of the
family.
In addition to the benefit to be had in
the home there is the financial feature to be
considered. For these fruits there is a
growing market at high prices that can-
not be filled for years to come. Set out
by hundreds and in groves no better in-
vestment can be made.
MANGOES APPEAR
IN LOCAL MARKET
Sell at 15 to 25 Cents Apiece; Price of Coffee Going Up Steadily.
Mangoes appeared in the market
today, the first time in many months.
The shipment now on sale is par-
ticularly large and well supplied with
juice.
That the mango (Mangifera In-
dica) can be grown in Pasadena is
confidently believed by most of the
local horticulturists, and attempts
are now being made to prove it.
Grafted mangoes adapted to a cool
climate are being set out, and Pas-
adena may some day supply its own
demand for this delicious tropical
fruit.
Those sold today bring from 15 to
25 cents apiece.
