Treatise On Mango

TIGHT BINDING BOOK
Drenched Book
yj<OU 168186S >m gm
TREATISE ON MANGO
BY
PROBODH CHUNDRA
Author
Late
DE,
F.R.H.S.
(LOND),
\
of Krishi-kshetra> Subjibagh,
Pkalkar &c.
Nixatnat Superintendent of the Gardens, Murshedabad ; formerly* of the Cossipur Horticultural Institution, Calcutta ; &c. &c.
t
<&
1 1
PRINTED BY AUCKHOY KUMAR KUR, AT THE RAGHUNATH PRESS, 15, RAOHUNATH CHATTERJEA's STRBBT.
1897.
All Rights Reserved.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
According
I
to
the
custom of the
literary
world
cannot here refrain from saying a few words by way of preface, which I hope my gentle readers
will give
an indulgent hearing.
It is
about seven
years since the manuscripts of this
work were pre-
pared, and about four years ago, I promised to bring it out shortly, but was somewhat dishearten-
in
ed at finding the indifference of the public at large complying with my request by enrolling their
as subscribers to
it.
names
mango, the king of fruits

while the
fruit itself is
It is a great pity that should be so neglected

all.
so great a favourite to
it
As
a proof of that apathy,
will
be observed that
within the last four years,
not more than a dozen

original
names were
enrolled.
My
idea was to
make
it
illustrated
of the
and elaborate but the
support
public led
me
to drop the
g scheme
of illustrations,
itself.
An
and condense the subject-matter illustrated work on a subject like

which
In
this
would incur a heavy outlay
would
view
necessarily require a large circulation.

of
the circumstances set forth above,

it
to bring
out in
its
obliged present form, and that even in
am
fulfillment of
The
after
I
my promise. idea of this work

arrived
at
first
occurred to
in
me
;
soon
Murshedabad
1892
and
began
at
once to study the subject more closely
and
as
it
to gather information
on the subject as much

city of
still
lay in
my
for
power.
its
its
The
Murshedabad
though now
reputation
in
ruins,
mangoes, Murshedabad ought to be proud of so numerous

choice
maintains a high and the people of

confined
kinds of
their
mangoes
;
strictly
to
own gardens but it is to be greartly regreted that up to the present day no attempt has been made to make a complete collection of the Nor has there scattered mangoes in one place.
been any endeavour to record the names of the mangoes indigenous to that place. I had therefore
to
undergo a good deal the names and description

different
of
trouble in collecting
of the
mangoes from
the
sources,
is
still
must confess that
present work
an incomplete one.
the
the vast area which India occupies, and
Considering in which*
lists,
mango
is
so
largely
it,
distributed,
which
are embodied in
Before
be found quite inadequate. conclude this, I have to thank Babus

will
Mohesh Narain
Rai, Pleader,
of
Murshedabad, Hari
Durbhunga, Raman Chundra Dutt of Mazilpur, Mr. Sobhan AH Khan Sahib of Hajipur, Rai Setab Chand Nahar Bahadur and
Mohun
Bannerji
his
son
Babu Mani
Lai Nahar, the
Chairman of
the
Azimgunge Municipality,
invaluable
who have rendered

of various
of
me
help by
lists
way
informa-
tions
and the
of
mangoes
their respec-
tive districts.
My
best thanks are
equally
due
to
the
authors and editors of
such
works
and
V,
journals as 1 had occasion to consult frcm time to time, and quote passages where necessajy. I am no less obliged and thankful to my esteem-
colleague Mr. P. Lancaster, F. R.H.S. (Lond), and Babus P. C. Majumdar, Legal Adviser to H. H.
th e
Na\vab Bahadur
undertaken
of
Murshedabad, and
for
my
the
k ind friend Tulsi
Das Mukerjea, M.A.,

to
having
kindly
revise
and
improve
manuscripts as well
tions towards
to Mr.
its
as
for their valuable suggesI
improvement.
am
also thankful
W.
Gollan, Superintendent, Botanical
Gar;
dens, Saharanpur ; an d Mr. J. M. Gleeson, Superintendent, AgriHorticultural
Pundit Gokul Das of Jodhpur
Society of Madras for the necessaiy informations they have favoured me with.
28, Durjipara Street,
*}
Calcutta.
THE AUTHOR.
December
25,
To
MAHARAJA KAMAL KRISHNA SING BAHADUR,
SUSANG, MYMENSING.
DEAR
SIR,
You have always taken

keen interest
living at a
in
delight in and evinced

publications,
after
my previous
and have
had the pleasure of
looking my pursuks, distance of hundreds of miles, and in
return of that sincere
LOVE, AFFECTION, AND ADMIRATION

I
regret
my
diffidence to adequately
to express
acknowledge
'
them and even

able terms.
my
gratefulness in suit-
on
'
Mango
will,
But the publication of this Treatise which you alone were most for
I
anxious,
that
trust,
would be
my
in
give you some pleasure and best consofation. With this
anticipation and
praying for your
HEALTH> WEALTH, AND PROSPERITY,

this little
work
is
respectfully dedicated to
you
by
my humble
self
The Author.
CONTENTS.
Page.
HISTORY
...
...
...
...
BOTANY ... ... GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND SYNONYMS ...

CLIMATE
...
...
5
7
...
...
10
16
19 21
SITUATION ... FOGS, DEWS, AND RAIN
...
...
...
...
...
PREPARATION FOR ORCHARD PLANTING ... ...

IRRIGATION
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
>..
PRUNING
24 32 34 37 43 58 62
MANURING
...
...
..
... PROPAGATION GENUINENESS OF GRAFTS
... ... ...
... ...
MANAGEMENT ... PESTS AND DISEASES

CAUSES OF FAILURE
... ...
... ...
... ...
...
HARVEST
...
69 83 86 90 97 99
10 1
MARKET
...
...
...
... PACKING ... DIFFERENT USES OF THE FRUIT A LIST OF MURSHEDABAD MANGOES
...
...
...
HAJIPUR
JAYNAGAR
...
108 112
MYSORE MADRAS GOA BOMBAY MANGOES OF MISCELLANEOUS

PLACES
"3 "4
vTBEATISE ON MANGO.
HISTORY.
OF
all
the
fruits,
that India has
been
since the ancient time, the
mango
in possession stands first and
foremost.
Its
bulk
and substance, flavour and

it
sweetness, have
people, and
it is
made
a household
fruit to
all
the
widely cultivated almost
over
India, subject to the suitability of soil
and climate.
present day hundreds of choice varieties in cultivation, but specialties occur in

different
We have at the
provinces,
and
in
the houses of
Indian
millionaires in
These are
ters,
in
which they are strictly confined. no way true to their original characof cultivation,
many changes
method
crosses
to the
having taken place owing nature of soil, and

varieties
successive
selves.
It is
between the
them-
not
its
supposed by many that Hindoostan was original home, but that it had come from
This opinion is Lanka, now called Ceylon, based on the Ramayana, one of the oldest his-
poems composed by Valmiki. The venerable sage was at his wit's end to say that
torical
lyric
armies
Hanuman, the brave commander-in-chief .of Rarachundra, when fighting
of
in
the
his
2
behalf
A TREATISE ON MANGO*
with
Ravana,
the
regain possession of Sita>

heart,
King of Lanka, to Rama's beloved sweet-
perchance met with an
Amra Kanan
/. e.
mango-grove. prompted him to do ajnple justice to the mango with his vast number of cohorts and they were
;
Hanuman's
natural relish for fruits
so
much
gratified
with
the
deliciousness
of
they could not but throw a few mangoes stones towards the Indian shores. This is all
that
that
we tan
gather about
its
primitive
soil,
basing
upon
the allusion
yana. Whether the mango into India or not, does
made by Valmiki in his Hanuman actually introduced

true that
Rm-
not concern us
much, but
this
is
the
mango was then

;
known in
India, and long, long before for in the age of the Vedas, which were composed long before
the Ramayana, mention of the mango is found. Mr. T. N. Mukharji wrote in his Amsterdam
Catalogue,
"the
Ramayana
says that the

1
mango
He did not was brought to India from Ceylon/ go in search of its antiquity beyond the age of the Ramayana which was composed according to
Dr.
W. W.
Hunter's estimate, about
1000 B.
C.,
while the Vedas are
supposed by the modern written from two to three to been have antiquarians thousand B. C. No precise date has been agreed
upon, and
difference
it is
for this
reason only that a wide

exists.
of opinion
But, having regard

is
to Dr. Hunter's opinion, our inference,
that
the
mango was
not
unknown even.in-the^Vedic
age.
HISTORY.
Fah-hian and Sungyun, the Buddhist travellers, referring to Buddha's penance, said that a mango
grove was presented to him by Amradarika, the daughter of mango, as a shelter for his repose.
Now
B.
it is
clear that
Buddha
his
Dr.
Watt
in
between 543-463 Dictionary of Economic

lived
Products mentions that in the

thirteenth century
visited
early part of the
A. D. Ibu Batua,
to
who then
India
made a reference
in
having then been
use as pickles.
mangoes as In Kumarof the Indian
sambhava and Sakuntala, from the pen

Shakespeare,
Kalidas, who lived 1950 years ago the during reign of Vikramaditya, beautiful pasare found referring to mango-blossoms which sages
he maintains as one of the "five-arrows" of the

spring.
From a romantic
story connected
with
Suryya Bai, we are

version of the
in possession of
origin
of the
another poetical take quango.
We
the following from the Pharmacographia "Suryya the of is the Sun, Bai, daughter represented as
:
persecuted by a sorceress, to escape from whom she became a golden lotus. The king fell in love with the flower, which was then burnt by the
sorceress.
From
its fruits
its
and the king

then with
fell in
;
love
ashes grew a mango-tree, first with its flowers and

ripe, the fruit fell to the
when
ground and from
it
emerged the daughter
of the
Sun (Suryya
as his
Bai)
who was recognized by
the prince
lost wife."
in his
About 300 years ago, Abul FazI wrote
A TREATISE ON MANGO.
Ain-i-akbari that there was a considerable number

of
cultivated
varieties
of
mango
in
India,
and
made a special mention that in the splendid orchard owned by Hossein, who lived between the
reigns
of
Akbar
and
Jahangir,
and
who was
physician and afterwards Governor of Agra, Behar etc. attached to the court of Prince Selim, Kairnah
mangoes had a conspicuous place in Delhi.* In order to show a continuous link of the
tence of the
in
exis-
Hindustan from the very mango remotest age, I commenced my researches from
:he
Vedic period rather than fr6m the modern age. From the facts mentioned above, it is evident
thiat^ Jndia
Jher
any other country for mangoes, although special varieties might have
not
to
does
owe
.been
introduced
after
the
liking
of the
its
people.
De
ous
Candolle was also of opinion that
indigen-
home was
the^ foot of the
Himalayas.
uninteresting to a British Indian subject and those taking an interest in British affairs in the East, to know that the events
It
would not
be
which led to the foundation of the British Empire in the East, had something to do with the mango
grove at the field of Plassey about 30 miles southOn his west of the city of Murshidabad.
march
to
Murshidabad, Lord Clive

in
in
1757 A. D.
encamped with his armies

orchard, measuring
the famous
yards.
I
mango
800x300
have been
informed that even at the present day a few trees

*Blockmann's English Translation
of
Aini-Akbaru
BOtANY.
of that time
are
still
in
existence,
live
but
doubt
whether any mango tree can and a half.
out a century
The innumerable
varieties
>
of
mangoes which
difference
we
at the present day enjoy are, ad has been said
above, the result of cross in succession,

of climate
soil, and human ingenuity and skill. From the diversity of treatment and other causes
and
a wide gulf has been created between the cultivated and the wild varieties, the former haying
so far improved
difficult to
in
its
all
its
merits that
it is
almost
remote parentage. Though so much change has taken place in the mangoes, still crude and wild fruits that come to the markets
trace
are to be found on the trees growing of themselves in remote jungles and wastes. These fruits never
deserve a place on the tables, for they are not only diminutive in size but also extremely sour and fibrous, and having a disagreeable and resinous
smell.
But the cultivated varieties are now the

of
glory and pride
our Indian millionaires, and the
source of wealth and fine delicacy of the poor Indian rayyats and peasants.
BOTANY,
THE
mango belongs to the natural order of Anacardiaceae and was scientifically named Mangifera indica.
It is
a tree of majestic stature bearing fruits
6
in
abundance
in
tropical
countries
and
irt
the
plains of India.
The
are
leaves which are alternate,
and
from
reticulated,
2
from 6 to 9 inches long and

;
to
3 inches wide
shinning, lanceolate,
accuminated
resinous smell.
inch or
and
glabrous,
having
agreeable
Petioles round, smooth, about an
two
long,
of
and thickish
branches,
at the base.
At the
extremities
the
flowers which are

at the base,
in
;
amall, yellow and having stripes pf red and are hermaphrodite are produced
bunches.
Petals
arising
five,
and
fertile
calyx five-leaved
of
;
stamens
from
the
;
inner side
the lobed disc.

the
Filament single
of the tree
anther oval
full
young shoots
of reddish
are
of greyish
sap of thick consis-
tency,
becoming a gum-like substance

;
hue by exposure to heat and light the fruits are oval or round, sometimes flat, and the fibres within
are replete with juice
;
in its
it
unripe condition
it is
green,
red.
but
when
The pulp
turns out yellow, pink or ripe is either sweet or sour or inter-
mixed, of agreeable taste and fine flavour; seed a crustaceous substance feme-celled, two valved
covering the
shell.
There
are
two
other
species
scientifically
known
as
M.
oppositifolia,
and M.
sylvatica, the
latter of
former being native of Burma,
and the
Sylhet where it is called by the natives Lukshi Am. They are both of inferior merits and do not
deserve a place in the gardens.*

*Dr.
Roxburgh's Flora Indica.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND SYNONYMS. ^

Mr. Lancaster says that the Mariam orMangifera oppositifolia is well worth cultivation for fruits.
The mature wood, though not very strong, many useful domestic purposes, and furniture is made of it in different places. "The mature wood is dull grey, open yet durable, if not exposed
serves
to wet, to the
It is
effects of
which
it is
very sensitive.
in
the cheapest
wood procurable
Madras
used for packing cases, boards, and rough work in general. Mr. Rodhe says it holds a nail faster than any other wood known to him.*
The
taste,
kernel
of the
fruit
is
white but bitter in
and contains a large percentage of oil, and acid as well. The bark and leaves yield a gallic yellow dye. In Oudh and Dacca, the leaves are
used by the poorer classes for tanning purposes.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND SYNONYMS.

ITS distribution
for
in
is
Malay Peninsula, Singapur, and in the remotest continent Ceylon, Persia, of Africa. There are also a few indegenous
varieties of this tribe, distributed in
beyond abundance
its
not only confined to Hindoostan, southern shore we find mangoes

in
Cochin China,
Sumatra, Java,
Penang, the Malaccas, Mauritius
and Mombassa.f
*
t
Cleghorn's Forests and Gardens of India.

Dr. Voigt's Hortus Suburbanus Calcuttensis.
been introduced
Again, through human agency, mango trees have into the United States, Australia,
and England. Such introduction does not deserve mention in this chapter, but for the sake of convenience on the part of the readers,
who would
at a
its
glance be
existence,
in
a position to form an idea of
either
naturally distributed or recently
introduced into different countries on the face of

the globe.
India being a country with a variety of creeds and colours, speaking different languages, it has been an impossibility to maintain the uniformity
of the
that
name of the names

I
the fruit
a happy accident in different languages bear much

;
still it is
similarity
to each
cases.
am
other excepting in a very few greatly indebted to Dr. Watts for
the following extract taken from his Dictionary of Economic Products of India.
"Vern.
kt-goothlt
Am, amb, amchur (unripe fruit), am* Am^ amra Bengj Ult, (seeds), Hind
;
kol
santal
Fagacha, bacho, garo; ghariam^ am,

}
assam; kurku
;
Am
Uriyaj Tsarat-Pang, magh

y
ambi^
Ama
W.
Batgas; marka, gond; Amb, am,

;
anv
N.
P.
am, amb^ mawashi

}
P. B,
;
amb^
amba> sind; amba^ amâmbecha Jhar, Dec.
Am6s,
;
amu, am, amb> Bomb; arnba, rnarj ambo, guz Am amb, anv, Bundelkund Maa, mangas> mam
}
marum, Tarn
}
makandamu guggun mamidi mamidi movi, mamadi chitu

}
Elamavi, mamadi, mamid, mamidi, tiyya mamidi racha

} }
tya mamidi,
Tel.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND SYNONYMS, 9

tnavt'na,
maw, amdu domu, Etamba

}
(wild),
am&a,
(cultivated) Sing; Amra, chuta, (the juicy), Madu duta (messenger of -Spring) Sans ; Amba naghyak
>
Pers.
"
5
From
term
of the
the above
it
may be
it is
inferred that the
Mango or Mangifera was

Tamil language, and
drived from
Mangas
that
also possible
the Portuguese
who came
out to India in the early
settled at Goa, a place Tamils transformed mangas into mango peopled by or Mangifera. But there exists difference of
part of the i5th century
and
opinion as to
its
exact root,
first
while the
authorities
have maintained the

intact
;
part of the
word almost
has been
the
latter
part,
we assume,
the
added
for the
is
convenience
of scientific illustration.
Loudon
of opinion
that
term
Mangifera
was derived from Manga or Manghos, the vernaBut cular name of the fruit and 'fero' to bear.*
another authority of no less importance holds that "Mangifera derived from Mingo the name of the
tree
and
'fero' to
bear.f However,
it
concluded that Manga,
Mango
or
may be safely Mangkos must
have been borrowed from Mangas of the Tamils or
any other vernacular name

Besides the general
of the tree.
name
of the
mango by
which
it
is
known, we
this
are required to deal with
the different varieties that have been introduced
by lovers
of
fruit,
Those names having no

of Plants.
I.
* Loudon's Encyclopedese
f Wight's Prodomus Flora India, Vol.
to
reference,
scientific
are
here
reserved
for
it would separate chapter, but for the present suffice to assert that they are called according to the
fancy of the growers in order to distinguish them from one another.
CLIMATE.
IN the
different
is
Mango
climatic
cultivated
provinces of India though the to a more or less extent, the
condition of the locality should be taken It is a fact that the trees are into consideration.
hani-wooded and can outlive the rigours of the seasons such as the hot winds of the Punjab, the
severe cold of the North-Western
the excess of rain
plantations, in
of
Provinces, and
;
Lower Bengal
but regular
localities
selected without
having
any regard for climate, often result in failure. Amateurs who out of fancy, curiosity, or pleasure, grow a limited number, may not have much difficulty
in treating
them with particular care and

of
attention,
and may expend any amount
whether they succeed or not, the greatest concern, it would be wise to make
money, no mattef but where profit is of
a good choice
of the land with reference to climate.
The mango
itself
being a tropical
tree,
endeavours
congenial
should at least be
made
to place
it
in the
condition of a tropical climate.

sible
It Is
neither pos-
nor practicable to secure identical climate
CLIMATE.
If
everywhere, but it must be our constant aim to adapt it to the climatic and other influences as much as
possible for
its
In climate
growth. are included average temperature
and
rainfall of the
year
hence the
latter
form an
important factor in
gardening.
influence
Carelessness in
should
the preliminary part of gardening business
be avoided.
As
the
of
climate
it
has a should
great deal to do with soil and vegetation,
be the imperative duty on the part

grower to make a special study The growth of trees as also
fruits
of an energetic
of these
matters.
the
excellence of
greatly,
if
not
entirely,
Generally,
inferior
in
the fruits of
flavour
depend on climate. Lower Bengal are far

of the
is
and substance to those

This
inferiority
upper provinces.
for
accounted
by the fact that Lower Bengal is most damp and swampy, whereas Bihar, the N. W. P., and
Central Provinces, Khandesh and
Bombay
are dry,
fruits
and
in
consequence, congenial so far as the
are concerned.
The
of
quality of
the fruits
of
is
in
great measure due to difference
temperature
laid
and
distribution
rainfall.
Plantations
out with
with the exclusive object mango of fuel and firewood, would best succeed in the
trees
moist
plains of
of trees
;
growth
Bengal which induce vigorous but where the quality of the fruit is
the particular object of the grower, the dry situations are most suitable. In the celestial regions of the
Himalayas
above the altitude
of
4000
feet,
12
the
mango can seldom grow
or thrive under ordi-
nary conditions.
where
the
Passing from the driest plains of Rajputana rainfall averages under 10 inches, we find
same
in the
;
Central Provinces and Behar from
30 to 50 inches while in Bengal Proper and in the lower regions of the Himalayas from 50 to 100 inches the again in Assam, Darjeeling and
;
Western Ghauts,
it
it
the above calculations
ranges above 100 inches.* From and practical observations
fairly concluded that the provinces varied rainfall of from. 30 to 100 inches receiving
may be
annually, are
tion,
generally adapted for its cultiva* with more or less advantage. although not only invigorates the of climate Dampness
of trees at the
growth
also
expense of their
fruits
but
is
ascribed as being the progenitor of weevils

insects that
and
commit ravages
This
is
to the fruits,
and
trees
as well.
especially the case with

of 24
Pergunnahs, East Bengal* Though some might have the misfortune of meeting with these evils, yet these may be averted or got
mangoes grown
Nuddea,
in the districts
Jessore,
Dinajpur, and
rid
of
by having recourse to the precautions
set
forth in this book.
>
Voelker's
ImprownenUf
Indian Agriculture*
SOIL.
As
effects
shrubs are susdeptible of the plants and of the soil, it forms an important part of
it.
my
in
task to dwell at length on

that the effects
It
must be borne
life
mind
less
of soil
on plant
of
are
no
marked than
the
influence
climate,
yet our control over the former is greater than on the latter, for we may, to some extent, make any
soil suitable to
our requirements according to the
nature of crops to be grown thereupon. In short, a soil may be defined as the combination
of certain ^vegetable,
elements.
chieif
soil.
Humus,
clay,
mineral^ and gaseous lime, and sand are the

of the
ingredients, and form the standard
Variation in their proportion makes a soil adapted to certain crops. Before proceeding with
the selection of the
to be taken into
soil,
consideration
soil
the nature of the crop has as well as whether

suit the
the nature of the

of the
would
crop
in
question.
Among
the
requirements manifold
functions that
has to perform, support and nourishment are the principal ones. Let us now a
soil
soil
is
consider what sort of
likely to support a
huge
tree
like
soil
depth of
our favourite mango, and what would be necessary for its growth
soils
and proper nourishment. Argillaceous and loamy

depth, find Surh
are
having
it.
sufficient
pre-eminently
soil*
suited to
fhi
We
often
Annparinor nn
cnrfar**
f\f
anv
14
character.
land and very close below change into a different No reliance should therefore be placed
soil. For general purposes, a a depth of from 4 to 7 feet should be carefully examined by digging a square hole which will present to the eyes of an observer the differ-
upon any surface
soil to
ent geological
of.
strata
which the area
is
composed
Again, there are soils containing no parts of lime, and I therefore ask my readers to select soils
having lime
said above,
lime,
in
it,
at
least 5 per cent.
As
have
among
other elements of a
soil, clay,
humus, and sand are the chief, and no soil is rich which does not contain all these four constituents.
Argillaceous and
loamy
greater proportion
of clay in
having a them, have not only

soils,
strength enough retain a greater

others.
support a tree but also to quantity of moisture than any

to
These
as
soils are the
best
for
huge
trees.
mango amateur should

soil
not rest content with the

;
on the answering his purpose subsoil the also upon contrary, he should examine which the tree would depend for its existence
surface
;
a deep-rooted tree would necessarily drive down its roots into a great depth for its sustenance.
for
But should they happen

able
soil
to experience a disagree-
like
sand,
chalk, or
marl a
little
below
the surface, their growth is likely to be arrested, and as a consequence would become stunted and
poor.
It
would be, therefore, expedient

subsoil as
to exa-
mine the
much
as the surface,
and
for
SOIL,
15
this
purpose, a hole
should be excavated in any
part of the field to be planted on, to a considerable
We have depth but must not be less than 4 feet. surface for the with the little to do soil, very
roots live in
it
few years
to
so
cular attention
the
subsoil.
if
we must pay partiBy examining
the strata of the hole,
the subsoil be found to
be of a very sandy texture, continuing to a great depth, it should be avoided if possible, or at
measured distances
holes,
measuring
4x4
feet,
the depth being determined according to the thick-
be,
ness of the sandy or limy strata as the case may should be dug down to the bottom of such
subsoil
and
filled in
with rich
soil available.
When
Nawab
laying out Raesbagh of her late Highness
Raesunnessa
I
Begum
Sahiba
of
Murshidabad,
had to root out many old and decayed mango trees, which presented me an occasion to see
their
feet
feet
roots penetrate the soil to a depth of 10 even, and the trunk itself going down to 6
below the surface.
This fact corroborates
the necessity
of a deep soil for mango trees. Another disadvantage of the subsoil close down
the
surface
'being
sandy
is
that
the
trees
Spread
out
roots horizontally at the risk of falling

hurrican.es.
down uprooted by high winds and

spacious and large
fields
In
is
where a plantation
resolved upon, a single hole will not test the mer^t of the whole area, for great variation may occur even at short distances- According to .the
.
16
field,
dimensions of a
holes might be excavated
at the distance of every 1000 feet, so as to
form a
correct idea of the nature of the average

In the black cotton soil of
soil
soil.
Bombay and Kunkur

have been found to
of
Gwalior,
mangoes
of
succeed well.
are
Mangoes
Bombay
species that
Bengal are really deserving of a prominent place in a garden, and it would be a
grown
in
great injustice to ignore their claims as such. celebrated Alphonso of Bombay, which was
The
first
among
its
varieties,
of Bengal, is
introduced into the gardens an example of the noted kinds which
Bombay may
also
boast
of.
Kunkur
or limy
soil is
Maries says
trees
in
Mr. productive of good luscious fruits. "In Gwalior, we have fine fruit
:
From
with enormous crops of fruit." the facts described above, it may be concludall
Kunkur
ed that almost
kinds of soils of India are suited
to the cultivation of the
mango
with more or less
advantage, having reference to climate.
SITUATION.
RAISED and well-drained plots of ground fre from the shades of other trees and surrounding Free ventilation and jungles, should be selected.
direct
sunshine are also to be secured.
Where
these
advantages do not
taken to secure them.
exist, steps must be Low land where water
SITUATION.
17
accumulates during the rains may be utilized by raising it above the general surface of the sur-
rounding country. For the sake of convenience a tank may be excavated and the earth out of it
spread over the
field as
necessity
directs,
all
but in
the case of small gardens, trenches
round would
be advantageous both for draining off the superfluous water, and for raising the land with the
dug out of them. Trees in and close to busy towns do not find a happy home there, as they are always subject to smoke of chimneys
earth
and
dirt of roads
life.
vegetable
The
both of which are injurious to efflux of these in a thickly
peopled and manufacturing town deposits itself on the leaves of trees, hinders them greatly
from
assimilating
atmosphere
gaseous elements from the and from respiration to their best
advantage. The more the pores of the leaves remain free from all these nuisances the more vigorous
will
be their growth and prosperous their health.
As an example, I should point out to my gentlereaders the awkward and miserable condition of
the trees growing on the road sides, and it would not be long before they could arrive at a conclusion that dirt
and smoke are the most formilife.
dable enemies to plant

in
Many have
orchards
and around Calcutta, where mango as well as
other trees have been growing, but bearing scanty fruit. This is assuredly due to constant presence
of
the
dirt,
smoke, and other impurities
of
the
iS
atmosphere, which give rise to the underground
growth of
branches.
lization
the
trees
at the
cost
of
leaves and
Again,
when
the trees blossom, fertiimpossibility,
becomes almost an
filthy
because
of the
deposits that almost wholly cover up

pistils,
is
the face of the buds,

inert
and pollens remaining

of the principal causes
and
dull.
This
one
of the falling off of the

In
blossoms from trees.

soil
Lower Bengal the

sufficiently
of
which
is
almost
always charged with moisture, a mango while in the seldom plantation requires irrigation Upper Provinces and in the hilly tracts where
;
earth
is
naturally
dry and the heat of the sun
is
in
excess,
arrangements for properly irrigating the
orchards should be made.
Tanks
or
deep wells
of
are necessary for the purpose, and for the sake
convenience they should be within the fields or close by, for the scorching heat of the sun during,
the months of April, May, and June,
which works
itself
upon
the soil in radiating moisture from
as
well as from the trees,
makes the constant watering

necessary.
of the fields absolutely
Roots cannot
be expected to feed and nourish under such circumstances, with the
already
existing in
necessary quantity of moisture the soil, for the quantity of sap,

soil,
which the sun absorbs from the trees and

is
far greater than
what the
trees are supplied with
through the roots. Now it remains for
me
to treat of the aspect.
We must see to the access
of the
morning sun
to our
FOGS, DEWS,
orchards
object,
free
AND
RAINS,
ig
and
for the fulfilment
of this particular
we must be
careful in keeping the
east as
and open as possible, beneficial and conducive to plant
for nothing is
life
more
than the
morning
rays.
is
The morning sun mingled with
GOO! breezes
vegetable The southern aspect

ingress
of
highly refreshing not only to the kingdom but also to living beings.
is
equally necessary for the

soil
warmth which keeps the
always
impregnated with heat necessary for the development of trees. This also keeps the soil free from
sites
superabundance of moisture and dampness. Such as have the east and south open are the best
for the successful cultivation of the
mango.
FOGS, DEWS,
NOTWITHSTANDING
our
all
AND RAINS.
and expense,
care, trouble,
expectations are frustrated, though fortuIn nately, not often, by fogs, dews, and rains. and rains are not even in scarce Assam, Bengal
the cold season
rich
when
in
trees are in blossom.

is
Urban
fogs of
fog being to the young leaves and

districts
sulphurous acid
detrimental
buds, but the
away from towns are much less inTrees in towns jurious than those of the former.
far
are particularly
subject to
them.
Constant im-
purities, which the chimneys of metropolitan and busy towns emit, are the sources from which fogs accumulate the sulphurous acid, Trees like the
20
with
the
thick or ripe leaves
arid
mango
tible
are less suscep-
of
influence
of
urban
fogs,
but
In the blossoms can hardly stand their effects. January when trees are in full season with blos-
soms, the atmosphere is sometimes so full of thick fogs that the rays of the sun cannot penetrate it, and as a consequence the greasy substance of the
fogs
destroys the blossoms.
Whoever has seen
its a mango tree during blossoming season must have marked the blackish substance on the
leaves
of trees,
and blossoms also to

substance
of the fog
is
fall off
in
heaps.
This black
nothing but the
decomposed matter
and sulphuric acid. Leaves thus discolored by its action remain for some time on the tree, but defoliation soon
.
follows.
The matter
deserving of
dealt
with in
this
chapter
alone
it is
is
more elaborate treatment ; but
within impracticable to handle it satisfactorily the limited space of the present work. I, therefore,
deliberately
leave
it
to
others
who may
like to
make a wider and more searching

into
investigation
the
subject.
of
may
mention
that the
of
here in the
fog question
interests
horticulturists
has drawn
tural
the
attention
Society of
London,
the Royal Horticuland investigations are

to
being made by
effects of fog
experts there
ascertain
the
on plant life*. Besides other chemical actions, bearing a close
Royal Horticultural Society's Journal, Vol. XVI,
pt, i.
PREPARATIONS FOR AN ORCHARD,

relation
21
away
to fogs, excess of dews is apt to the pollens, depriving the pistils of the
j
wash
power
of fertilization
so that the
of
flowers
and a
crop ensues. flowers from whatever sources

failure
drop off and Moisture on the
it
may be
is
detri-
mental to
fructification,
Rains likewise
do the
same injury as is done by fogs and dews; moreover, a heavy shower or two when the trees are
before the period of floweribg is likely to promote a leafy growth and extra vegetation and
at
rest
thus retard the blossoming tendency of the trees* Ifhe evils arising from these causes can hardly
be eradicated, and we know not if any remedy has yet been devised. But so far as the fog is
concerned,
anxiously watch the proceedings of the Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticul-
we
tural Society,
are in
where experiments and observations progress by Members of the Committee, and

await their decision.
we
eagerly
We
know
not
why
our
not
agricultural
and
horticultural
bodies
should
take up the subject and advance the
London Society whose indefatigable exertions would thereby be materially helped.

efforts of the
PREPARATIONS FOR AN ORCHARD

PRELIMINARY preparations for making an orqhard consist in clearing jungles and weeds and ploughing the land over and over again so as to
render the
soil
friable
and
sufficiently^
capable of
22
atmospheric elements that constitute Plants would important food for plants.
in
absorbing
the
seldom or never thrive
soil
that has been
uncultivated for a long time, lying waste and although such land is considered more fertile and
productive than ordinary ones I must confess that the belief
under cultivation.
is
not unfounded,
and
in
the result of
support of the fact I may here lay down my personal observations extending
over twenty years in different parts of India w>., no soil could be more valuable and rich than a
virgin
one,
that
has,
from
with
its
prolonged
rest,
become
organic impregnated elements which would have otherwise been ex-
invaluable
hausted by rotation of crops year after year. Notwithstanding the existence of the component parts
that constitute
a rich
soil,
they are required to be
made
active
fluence of
by bringing them to the direct inair and light. The mere presence of
organic and inorganic elements does not in itself increase the fertility of the soil. It is, therefore,
necessary that there should be thorough decom-
by repeatedly inverting the soil by means of the plough. Shrottky says,* "Most exhausposition
experiments have proved that plants are incapable of absorbing in a pure state these four
tive
elements which constitute their organic parts a plant may be set on pure carbon, supplied with
:
"Principles of Rational Agriculture."
PREPARATIONS FOR AN ORCHARD.
33
die
pure oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen and will yet from want of nourishment. Therefore,.*. no
plant
can absorb and assimilate these substances
in their
elementary form
it is
only from
certain
now
them
known compounds that it is able to absorb and these great suppliers of all organic plant food are carbonic acid, water, and ammonia/ Soils when turned over by means of the plough,
well
;
expose their ingredients of carbon and oxygen to the influence of moisture and atmosphere and a slow decomposition takes place by the
;
of atmospheric oxygen, and the carbon and hydrogen of vegetable matters present in the soil. Inorganic substances as well remain
combination
dull until
they
are
rendered soluble by exposing

air.
the
soil to heat,
moisture, and
There can be no divergence

ing the
necessity
of bringing
of opinion
regard-
the
soil into close
proximity to and action of the atmosphere. Even the very poorest and most exhausted soil under-
goes a great change immense benefits from
for
this
the better and derives
an exhausted
is
soil
may
procedure. Although thus be improved, yet it

land,
if
preferable to
manure the
not
in
its
entirety,
at least those spots in
which trees should
be planted.
Now
less
the
land
thus
cleared,
to
manured should be allowed

than three months
:
ploughed, and remain fallow no

if
it
would be better
this
period be extended before planting commences.
24
In
the
interval
the land
may be ploughed once

These
operations
every three or four weeks.
might be taken in hand during the dry season, which generally commences from November.
Excavation of tanks or wells and arrangements for drainage as also for fencing might be advantage-
ously/undertaken during this part of the season for there will be plenty of time in accomplishing Instead of these works before the rains set in.
;
doing anything by haphazard, I would advise the amateur to move on slowly and gradually. Benefits
derivable
from the preliminary measures can
not be over-estimated, but

that people do
we
deplore very
much
scarcely pay heed to these points
which experience has repeatedly proved so absolutely necessary for a rich and successful mango
plantation.
PLANTING.
The season
\vjth the
first
for
planting
of
commences
ABout a
in
July
shower
rain.
fortnight
or
month
previously,
holes
measuring
in
all
3^3
should be
dug
^j^J^J^
directions.
Equidistant parallel rows produce nice effects in viewing all orchards when the trees shall have
grown
whereas planting at random would simply bespeak the absence of taste of the owner, Poor and narrow ideas having relation to neither
up,
PLANTING.
25
choice nor judgment should be studiously avoided, for all gardens or orchards should be nice-looking
and well
laid out.
The
distance
to be allowed in planting
might
as
it
be best determined by growers
themselves,
and
considerably varies in accordance with the climate Personal experience of the soil of a district.
growth of trees
in
the
locality
would
be, in
my
opinion, the best guide as to the quantity of space In Calcutta required to be left between two trees.
and
is
the space allotted for mangoes x the growth of the trees in 25 generally 25 such localities being not so exuberant as in the
its
vicinity
Maldah, Murshidabad and Durbhanga, 'where mango topes sometimes require a space
districts
of
of 50
ft.
asunder. But,
to
my
utter surprise,
saw
of
in the above
places where mango forms one
the main crops of the season,
devoted to
of land,
its
many an orchard solely culture and occupying a vast area

mango trees that now become recesses
each
other to the
so thickly planted with
the orchards themselves have

of
gloom even during day-time and the branches

interwoven
with
of trees are
great detriment of their further growth
and de-
velopment.
As an
inevitable consequence of such

all
injudicious planting, the lower portions of
trees
inter-
and branches are devoid

vening space within
gas
is
of
leaves,
and the
of
reservoir
obnoxious
and
nursery
of
malarial
germs.
of
These
the
trees
impurities not. only injure the health
26
A TREATISE ON* MANGO.

greatly
also.
but
affect
locality
human constitution of the From a sanitary point of view,

eye
frus-
local
Municipalities ought to have a strict these upon points of vital importance.
Want
trate
of
sunlight
and
free
ventilation
the
aims of
of
the
trees
ing the health

their
growers by impoverishand by depriving them of
powers
of
over an orchard
bearing fruits. A thick canopy is a great barrier to atmospheric
elements and the sun.
As
.this
drawback was
of
not rare in Raesbagh, i caused some

to be cut
the
trees
down
to the
remaining ones
very roots in order that the might have the advantages of
atmospheric elements. In their former crowded condition, they bore only a few leaves on the'
uppermost and
lateral
shoots,
and, in
season,
very insignificant
By
adopting the
in
number of degenerated fruits. above method, I not only sucsurviving trees to

in
ceeded
bringing round the

services bore
healthy bushes, but they
grateful acknowledg-
ment
of
my
fruits
profusely
and
of
improved
quality.
Among
the
mango
orchards of extensive
area
having rich collections of the choicest varieties may be mentioned H. H. the Nawab Bahadur's Mabarak
Manjil,
to
a park which \\as at one time

of Calcutta,
a rival
many
and Asafbagh, formerly belonged
to
Rajah Prasanno Narain Deb Bahadur of Calcutta, Nawab Bagh and J&hanpur Bagh 6f Her Highness Nawab Raesunnessa Begum Saheba ( deceased )
PLANTING.
27
and Rai Luchmipat Sing Bahadur's famous Katgola Bagh where some discipline in planting was observed.
But
in
almost
all
other orchards
the
manner
of planting verily suggests that
those trees
came
up from seeds sown broadcast or recklessly scat* tered or thrown away in numbers perhaps' by crows
and other
birds.
In these orchards one
may
easily
find trees in
groups having 3, 4, 5, or 6 feet space between each other. What can be expected from
?
I
these orchards
trees
laid
and worst
fruits.
emphatically reply, awkward But the orchards now being

planted* as
belief
out are not

It is
so indiscriminately
heretofore.
my
conviction
if
and
they
that
their'
the people
attention
of
of Murshidabad,
turn
and energy to the systematic cultivation mangoes, and mangoes only, can turn it to good
account and
may be proud
of the distinct varieties
they alone possess.
Never plant indiscriminately, nor be miserly

allotting
sufficient
in
space
for
each tree
in
and.
can
verily
assure that
they will not,
return,
be
ungrateful in compensating you for the rent of the little space they occupy nor for the trouble
and expense incurred in treating them. better that an orchard should have a limited
of
fruitful
It is
far
number
trees
than
many
trees
stunted and
barren.
Systematic planting consists

of
in
the selection
season
to growth, variety, and healthy^trees, according of of the fruits. ripening Injudicious
28
in
planting results
the
awkward appearance
shall
of
j
an orchard when the trees

the
loss
have grown big

fruits
of
names,
if
not
properly marked, the
incumbency of extra labor in assorting the last and not the least, the setting
fruiting season without
tive
of
and
in of the
periods
any regard to the respecripening for which they are indivi-
dually
varieties
of a
appreciated,
that
There are
tall
and erect
require less
space while others are

habit,
bushy or spreading
and require more
space.
th
Again there
If
are varieties that
come
late
early,
second-early
next,
and the
third
into
season.
trees be planted in a
mixed bed neglect-
or bushy ing these specialities the rapid-growers ones are likely to take up more space than had
actually
been allotted and thus deprive others of

Next, the period of season
likely to be forced
the
is
same advantages.
treating the
most
upon some
It is
late varieties
in
early kinds.
to
therefore absoin
lutely
necessary
be particular
these points,
which are of the greatest magnitude to the hortiMr. Maries of Durbhangha, referring culturist,
mango plantation very "In observes: laying out a plantation of rightly be so arranged that the should trees mangoes, the
to
the
laying
out of a
ripening comes mangoes planted to the east, and late mangoes west".*
season
of
in
order;
the
early
medium
in the middle,
* Dr. Watt's
India.
Dictionary
of
Economic
Products
of
PLANTING.
With the
graft in
first
shower
of rain in July, plant

;
one
each hole along the rows

soil is
soil
but remember
never to plant when the

so
wet, as this would

the
much compress
the
that
new and
incap-
tender roots of small trees would be quite

able Of breaking through.
hawkers of Calcutta, round the roots of plants which they sell, with so stiff a loam that the balls remain for years as they
The ignorant plantgenerally, make balls of earth
were
is
first
made.
The
by
earth thus
roots nor
made
is it
into balls
neither penetrable
possible for
human hands to remove them without injuring the roots. Year before last I had bought -a few fruit grafts
from Calcutta plant-dealers, and planted them as usual but some of them never started for the
following fifteen months
;
on the contrary, some of

the roots of the
them died
dead trees
outright.
I
Oa examining
my
found, to
great surprise and disapstiff
pointment, that the balls remained as
and comroots
pact as they had been, and no trace of the penetrating through the loam was visible.
as
Howas
ever in putting a graft into the hole, try to remove
much
superfluous
soil
from
the
ball
practicable and kepp the joint of the graft entirely or half immersed in the soil,|p.nd then fill -up the
intervening space with half moist, rich, loose mould, better if mixed with decayed vegetable 'refuse.
Press the
soil
firmly
but gently, taking care not
to hurt the roots.
The
empirical
method
of
planting grafts in
30
districts is greatly repreitself,
Maldah and Murshidabad

hensible.
As
in
it
is
not the cause
but
the
effect of the defective
method
planting
is
system of grafting that such pursued, it does not corne

this
under the category
of
chapter,
but
is
re-
served for a separate one on grafting.
Over-immersion of the stem into the
soil
has
disadvantages. Firstly, it causes them to send the sacrifice of the fruiting Secondly, the roots tendency of the trees.
many down
roots below at
remain
almost
influence;
third
'
portion
attacks
of
of
beyond reach of atmospheric and lastly, the underground the the stem becomes a prey to
insects,
worms,
and whiteants, and
is
of constant dampness. likely to rot from the effects But the grafts of Murshidabad and Maldah are what we strongly disapprove, for their point of
abpve the base, making trees grow upwards instead of spreading side shoots from the lower parts of the stem.
union
is
far
principles
After planting has been done according to the delineated above, the trees should have
have -profuse watering which must be repeat *d every fourth, fifth, or sixth day as weather may direct. In
unfavourably dry s^sons when the heat is scorching, a totee or Hght thatch of grass may be suspended over the head of each tree for protection, and the
trees should be bathed
when
ature
;
the
once or twice every day atmosphere is above normal temperfor this purpose
and
morning aad evening
PLANTING.
ivould
31
Neither bathing nor be should to the trees when allowed watering the atmosphere is too hot, as this is likely to prodesirable.
.
be most
duce
counter-effects
from the tender roots and
leaves being severely injured.
To keep up constant moisture at the roots and to save the troubles of shading and watering the trees, it would be a wise plan, inexpensive at
the
same
time, to plant
plantain
trees
round the
In jiewly planted grafts for the first few years. rare cases in Murshidabad and Maldah this system
is
in
practice, but
am
quite at a loss to under-
stand
plan.
why
the people should not adopt this simple However, care should be taken so that
the
plantain
bushes do not overcrowd the grafts,
and remember that these bushes must be thinned

from
the
time to time as space will be required by

tree.
young
In
October,
November, and
December
also
planting may^ be performed, but the trees planted now would necessarily require more care and
attention
until
the
rainy
season sets
in
but
those
who can
out
not personally supervise the works

in
done by malies (gardeners) who often neglect

carrying
respective
the
directions,
given
to
by
wait
their
till
masters,
would do well
the following July.
is
The season for planting gootees and seedlings the same as for grafts, but in planting a gootee
plant
it
take care niether to
in
deep nor
in
32
A TREATISE ON MANGO
shallow holes.
tap-root
tree
When
should be cut
planting a seedling, the off carefully so that the

its effects.
may
not suffer in the least from
IRRIGATION.
THIS important part
lected
in
of
orcharding
its
is
much neghas
India, although
truth.
necessity
long
been an admitted
fact that
It is
really a deplorable
we suck
the trees
without giving them

into
food for
support.
An
arising
investigation
in
the
degeneration and diminution

quantity
of
fruits
the
the
quality and
effects
from
of
drought and non-irrigation would amply justify the demand for water of trees,, especially during the hot months in the Air and Indian sun.
moisture are the principal elements upon which I have dwelt at great length the trees subsist.
on
air
it
and atmosphere
in
the
previous chapter
and
now remains
for
me
to say a
few words on
the necessity of moisture.
Want
depth
the
in
of sufficient moisture in the soil induces
a tree to send
down
of the
.it
roots
i.
search of food,
e.
below the ordinary water which forms
chief food
tendency which
is
vegetable kingdom. This forced to put forth has very
baneful effects in making underground growth of the roots, and in forcing the trees to vegetate and
leaf
instead
of
fruit
and flower.
surface
to
soil
Besides,
from
stiff
want
of moisture,
the
becomes
and hard, and powerless
absorb atmospheric
IRRIGATION.
matters
or elements
soil
It
33
necessary for the develop-
ment
trees
of the
alike.
itself
and for the support
of the
must be noted that the
soil
and
the atmospheric elements have no

bination
power
of
comIt is
without the
medium
the
of moisture.
therefore necessary
that
orchards
should
be
till the end of regularly irrigated from March This would not only keep them cool but June.
the
would also invigorate their growth and improve quality, and increase the size and quantity
of fruits,
Mango-trees generally take rest after they have made their autumnal growth and remain inactive
until the
blossoming period which usually comin
mences
January.
During
this
state
is
of rest,
suffi-
they should not be watered, as the soil îently charged with moisture, which
then
will
be quite
quantity
enough
of
for stfpplying the
trees with
their
inert
the
water
necessary
this,
if
for
life.
Not-
withstanding
ing, they
will
they be subjected to waterinto a fresh
most probably ignore the fruiting

start
tendency, and for the season.
up
leafy
full
But,
when they
are in
growth blossom
and approach to
fruiting,
in
greatest advantage and in enabling the trees to strengthen their stalks

"~
watering would be pf 'the developing the minute fruits
If
it
does not
entire
least,
suit 'the
convenience to flood
orchard,
over the
should,
ten
to
at
area of
the
the trees
fifteen
feet
be individually so watered that of ground round each tree
34
to a considerable depth.
It is
become wet
that
better
no watering
should be given
at
all
than
of
moistening the ground superficially. interval for repeating may be

nature of the
soil
The period
determined
according to the
;
and the mois-
but the soils of Lower Bengal ture at the roots do not require more watering than once every three weeks while those of the N. W- Provinces
and the Punjab once every week.
Water being
of
dening, with adjacent rivers, canals, tanks, or wells to avert the dearth of water as it sometimes
orchards should
paramount importance in garhave easy connection
happens.
For
irrigation
is
system
mical.
of
dinghi
purposes the country most convenient and econo-
PRUNING.
THE
in
system
ot in
pruning
fruit
trees
has
been
India since a very remote age, but practice the causes that led to its adoption are very little
known hence we see a good many mode of pruning.

;
defects in the
artificial
'The object of pruning is to give trees rest by means for a limited period, the ultimate
aim being to bring them again to fresh vigour and life.
The operation
during
the
;
of pruning of
may be performed
and
months
October, November,
December
butthe time must vary with reference to
PRUNING.
the season
of fruiting
35
varieties
first,
early
then
medium, and
are
lastly the
late ones.
If all
the trees
is
pruned
likelihood
at
of
one and the same time there

their
a
at
coming
of
into
season
all
time
irrespective
group
and natural
season by which each group is characterized. This improper method of pruning indiscriminately
tells
heavily upon the quality of the fruits
for early
varieties
early,
if
may go
to flower late, while the late ones
To
they flower at all or be inclined to vegetate. avoid such disappointment, it is advisable to

in
prune the early varieties in October, the medium November, and the late in December.
The
ing.
root
and shoot are both subject
to prun-
Before commencing with the operation of pruning, dig up the soil at the base of each tree
foot, taking the circumference and let it remain so for a week wide, considerably to dry. In the meantime remove all the sickly
to
a depth
of a
and decayed shoots from the

.
tree.
Then
after a
week
soil
cut
off
some
surface-roots
air
and remove the
from the roots, so that
to
work on them as also on the
may have access soil. The main
roots should never be disturbed.
In this state trees
should
be allowed to remain from 3 to 4 weeks, after which fijl up the gap of the soil at the roots
with fresh earth and well rotten manure.
shape of surface ploughing which has but a nominal effect gn them, and, in my opinion, is a little better than
Tre,es
fin,
orchards
arfc
pruned
in the
36
nothing at all. By turning the country-plough over the soil of an orchard, the earth only receives
superficial scratches,
and loses capillary connection
with the subsoil.

tree
thin
The
solitary
benefit
is
that the
may
derive
from ploughing,
the
that
a very
layer of
it
surface
becomes
loose
and
enables
to
absorb
an
insignificant quantity of
gaseous substance from the air, but it is seldom that even the very fibrous surface roots get any advantages of pruning.
therefore,
The owner
trouble
of a
garden should,
take the
understand
J
making his men the object and method of pruning.

of
have had on many occasions heard gentlemen

sheer
inutility
speak of the
less
of
growing
fruits,
of fruit trees
Some
fruit
being given a place in a garden. of them even do not hesitate to say that
be grown by Malls and lower and not by gentlemen in their The cause of this narrow idea of
trees should
classes of people
gardens.
gardening may be reasonably assigned to ttoe backwardness in orcharding, which forms one of
the principal branches of horticulture.
Now
it
must be
oted that no tree under
five
years of age
or sufficiently mature in bearing should have their roots pruned. Trees of immature
growth,
when pruned and

and
fruit
treated Jikewise, are
likely to flower
earlier
than they would
otherwise do.
But they are greatly, benefited by

soil at tire base.
occasional stirring of the surface
MANURING.
MANURE
ment
trees
formis the
life
chief
food
it
for
the
nourish-
of plant
and
is
supplied by nature
soil.
through
are
the so
medium
of
the
Although
and
fruiting,
supplied for their natural growth still it does not appear to be suffi-
cient for practical purposes. The object of manuring is to give them what they want for the proof a crop. Those who take crops without giving them in return any sort of manure may be said to rob the trees of their stock. Hence it
duction
must be understood that the trees we intend

a good crop out
nourishing food.
trees,
of,
to get
should be sufficiently fed with

the
en
Manure improves and fruitfulness, developes

fruits.
health^ of
Chances the
oil
merits of
For young
trees,
well-rotten^
cow-dung QI
will
cakes suit best, but the larger ones
be greatly
benefited by the application of stronger and substantial manures, such as old stabling,
more
salt,
sulphate of lime,
is
and bonemeaj.
it
When bonemeal
to "Be
applied,
should
be mixed with other
manures in order that

and
effect readily.
it may soon decompose As superphosphate of lime is

it
not available everywhere,

cal plan,
would be an economi-
though troublesome to a certain extent,
to
am
prepare it at home. As for its preparation, I indebted to Mr. B. Basu, of the Agricultural
Pept., Government
of Bengal,
who
writes
in his
38
:
"superphosphate of lime, briefly spoken of as super can be made either from bone-meal or bone-ash by treating it with
sulphuric acid.
It
is
Notes on Indian agriculture
not quite easy to
make super
from
from
raw bone-meal, that is from meal prepared "raw" bones from which the fatty matters
have not been removed by steaming or boiling. Both the fatty and nitrogenous matter of raw bone-
meal tends to protect the phosphate of lime and ingredients from being acted on by the acid and to make the mass slimy and inconother mineral
venient to
to
deal
with.
It is
preferable, therefore,
prepare superphosphate of lime from either bone-ash or steamed bone-meal. The process of
very simple and is as follows Take a large earthen vat and fill it about two thirds with a weighed quantity of raw material
manufacture
is
either
steamed-meal or ash.
Add enough water

it
to saturate the mass,
For every maund of the raw material, weigh out about 20
and
stir
well.
seers of chamber, sulphuric acid or about 15 seers

of strong acid (oil of vitriol),
and gradually pour
it
over the
mass under treatment.

for
As
the acid
is
being added, and

have an
will boil
some minutes
turn over the
thereafter,
assistant to
mass which
bone
and
froth up, with a shovel, until the
and acid have become uniformly mixed throughout. Care should be taken not to spill
material
the acid which
is
a violent caustic
like
and cauterises
After a few
the
skin almost
rd
hot
iron,
MANURING.
hours the
39
mixture will be found to have set into
a solid mass like cement.

clean
Now
turn
it
over on
ground in the sun and spread it out to dry. After drying in the sun for 4 or 5 days the clods which might have formed, require only to be crushed by a mallet before the manure
Chlorine
as
is
ready for use/
or
common
salt is
a valuable
medium
manure, as also a vermin-killer.

purposes Khari-nimak
than
is
For agricul-
tural
and may
sive
generally in use, be had from the bazaars. It is less expenthe purified salts of Liverpool.
half-
basketful mixed with other manures will be

for
quite
enough Manure prepared from rotten vegetable refuse

is
each
tree.
also very valuable,

is
so
far
as
the growth
of a
tree
concerned.
after they
Trees should be manured
had been
from
pruned
that
and undergone necessary
treatment in
roots
connection.
soil
The space
at
the
be
has been previously removed, should with rich manure and fresh soil. Some up people are of erroneous belief that a basketful or two of manure given close to the base will answer
which old
filled
the
of
but this faulty system purpose of manuring at the base has manuring very little or no The fact is that the roots can never effect at all.
;
be expected to remain interwoven just below the surface close round the base or foot of the tree
;
hence
it is
unquestionably true that roots
never
remain
idle,
aad would go as
far as
they possibly
40
could
in
sfcarch
of food.
The
distance to which
trees spread out
roots a.id
rootlets
cannot be
ascertained accurately, but is subject to be determined according to the age and growth of trees.
The
roots
quantity of manure to be applied at the

the grower himself,
may be determined by
to the
according each tree.
and requirement of Over-manuring sometimes forces

strength
healthy tree to superabundant growth or causes decline to others on the one hand, and
on the other tends to check fruitfulness and to

decrease the size of
fruits.
Not only the strength

also
and requirements
careful
of a
tree have to be taken into
account, the capacity of manure should
have
examination.
Strong and fresh
manure
smelling obnoxiously, has injurious effects on plant life. A healthy and well grown tree will best receive
from 2 to 10 basketfuls of manure-mixture without the risk of any danger. For weak and young trees 2 to 6 will suffice, but it must be milder,
and
soil in
ordinary garden greater quantity than the manure itself, Referring to the cultivation of mango in the
this
may be done by adding
Punjab during the reign of Emperor Akbar, Abul Fazl wrote "They also put milk and treacle round about the tree which make the
:
fruits
sweeter."*
have never tried
this,
it
and
cannot, therefore, say anything about
from
my
* Blockmann's Translation of Ain-i-Akbari.
MANURING.
;
41
but mango growers would personal knowledge do well to make an experiment in this connection. Mr. Sobhan Ali Khan, a rich Zemindar of Hajipur
in the
Patna Division has kindly supplied
me
with
the following information.
says
"A Fakir
which accidentally did not mango fruit turned out to be exce&dgrow straight but the
planted a
tree
ingly good.
After the death of the Fakir the tree

of
came
of
into the possession
Patna,
who ordered
that
Maharaj Bhup Singh milk and sugar to

of the
be given
round the root of the tree every year
in the fruit season,
and the outturn
mango
is
became more and more

the
delicious."
This
by
way the history of the famous Langra mango. After manuring {FeT trees' properly, watering will be necessary, but it must not be done heavily
until
blossoms have been formed

will
ifito fruits.
The
be very moderate, the object being simply to moisten the manure applied. The affinity which it bears to water is too close,
water now required,
and
it
is
beyond the capacity

until
of the in
manure
to
effect
any action
coming
contact with
This clearly shows the necessity of water after manure has been given, but that should be
water.
regulated with
the
advancement
of
the
season,
in-
beginning
creasing
it
at first with
moderate quantity and
upland, dry or from 6 8 to waterings during the entirfc porous season of fruits if rains be scarce at that time,
soil
as necessity directs.
On
will
keep up ample moisture
for
the
crop,
But
42
in
cases
of such lands as are already overis with as the case with the lowlands it, charged of south and east Bengal, no watering is at
all
An
necessary except for wetting the manures. attempt to force the trees to come into bearof
ing earlier than usual by the early application
manure, although they were still at rest and slumber, would most probably tell severely upon
their
fruiting tendency.
in
is
Work and
rest are the
alternatives
nature,
and every created thing,
having
life,
subject to that law.
Mango
trees
work
to
for the
autumn growth
in the rains
and go
then for a short period until the blossoming season approaches. In the meantime,
rest
they gather fresh vigour and strength which were exhausted in the autumn, for another growth
for blossoming and fruiting, and also mature It is themselves for the same. evidently true
and corroborated by
facts
of
everyday
life
that
before the branches are matured.
they are much less inclined to come into bearing It has often been
seen that
mango
is
;
rainy season the season
make growth after the seldom come into bearing for over, in order to check that tendency, it
trees that
becomes incumbent to expose the roots to the sun for some time and to place at their disposal such
quantity of manure as would compensate the loss thus caused.
There
not
only
is
a class of careless people

apathetic
in
who would
be
manuring, but also
PROPAGATION.
^3
deprive the trees of the advantages derived from

the leaves they put forth throughout the year, by If these collecting the same for other purposes.
leaves are not collected and taken away, they may live and feed on their own properties to some
extent.
indeed very cruel, and I should say a horticultural crime to take crops year after year without supplying the trees with some nutritious
It is
food for the restoration of health which undergoes fatigue and exhaustion by overwork. Apart from
the
philanthropic view of the question, if I may call it so, we are also to lose greatly and materially
of of
by the degeneration of the fruits and diminution the yield where trees are neglected in respect
manuring. excuse to many, but
The question
I
of
expense
pretty
forms
an
am
sure that the
average outturn of three successive years more than compensates it.
PROPAGATION.
are adopted in propagaand by grafting. The seeds ting mango trees, by There are gootee system is seldom practised.
GENERALLY two methods
advantages peculiar to each. Plants raised from seeds are called seedlings and grow bigger and with more vigour than those
propagated
vantages
artificially.
Notwithstanding those adis
why
a seedling
not preferred
is
44
question that
requires careful investigation, and
if I
I
hope
shall
be pardoned
take up a
little
more
space than usual
in dealing
with this subject.
There are many trees and shrubs, the seed of which sometimes, if not often, fails to germinate
in
foreign
soil.
They become
delicate
and
roots.
lose the
power
of
standing on their
own
possible care the seed might be made to germinate, and the seedling to live, but being
With
all
susceptible of the
it
effects of a
new
soil
or climate
is
apt
to
lose its original merits,

different
and may turn
out a
quite
variety
inferior to
the
parents.
superior or Consequently a great

either
change in the quality of the fruit is most possible and is often met with. As an inevitable consequence, we at the present day possess so many choice varieties of the mango, and it is also hoped that the more the attention and care bestowed
in
raising
seedlings from
novelties
selected varieties, the
more
will the
be achieved which may
stand in rivalry with, or excel the universally favour-
ed Fuzli of Maldah, Langra of Benares, and Kalapahar Kohitoor, Bimli Ro'gni and Annanas of
}
}
Murshidabad.
of the
The change
1
in
the
true
character
seeds, oftentimes
or crossed
by human
although not hybridized agency, takes place when

,
they are yet in embryo through the instrumentality of the wind, and bees, wasps, ants and numer-
ous other insects

Again,
that
feed
on
the
blossoms.
difference in
climate and in the nature of
PROPAGATION,
the
soil
45
to
may
subject
a seedling
change
its
parental character.
From
the
be supposed that such a variation
foregoing observations, it may not is sure to take
place, but what I mean is that, there is every chance of a change taking place in its relation to the mother tree. Another point, not of greater
magnitude though,
is
for non-preferment of seedlings
that they take comparatively a longer period, ere they come into bearing, but that objection has neither weight nor importance, because of the comis
pensation which
will appear, or
is
realizable,
when some
novelties
from the abundance of
fruits
which
to follow.
at least attach
no credit to the grower
or propagator
such graft as bears 2 or 3 years since the day of planting, for this takes place as a matter of course, but he who would succeed in
of
raising even a single novelty, surpassing the existshall have sympathy and no doubt, of the entire community approbation, and shall win a lasting reputation for himself.
ing ones in
excellence,
An amateur would
purse by
are almost
hardly risk his pleasure or
planting trees raised from seeds, for they

invariably uncertain
is
Mr. Ingledew of Mysore
about their yield. of opinion that "the

is
very uncertain and less to be depended upon than that of most and it is other seedlings in the quality of fruits
produce
of the seedling
mango
probable that not one in several thousands of these
46
good
fruit in
ordinary situations."* From my personal experience I am enabled to strongly maintain that a seedling can never be
entirely
trees will bear
depended upon
it
in
producing
fruits of
I
merit
similar to that of the parents.
As
have shown
above,
is
by mere accident that one may obtain
and
a seedling out of many, retaining parental habits From the Report of the Botanic merits.
Gardens
in the
N.W.P.
:
for the year 1854 the
Rev.
"Mr. J. Homfray has likeMr. Firminger quotes wise in his garden a grafted tree, received from the Botanic garden, of the Mazagon mango, stones
from the
fruit
of
which he planted, and one or
alike
two trees raised therefrom, produce fruit exactly and fully equal in every respect to the fruit
of the
parent tree.f"
Again, what opinion the
follows
same Mr. Humfrey advanced before him was as and should be read with interest. The
:
versation
Rev. gentleman further observes "In a conI had with Mr. P. Homfray many years after he made the above communication, he told
that
me
he had since sown the seeds of other
kinds, but had not
met with the same

did
result
fruit
from
them.
The
seedlings
not yield
equal to
that of the parent tree.
The Java
kind,
however,
always came
ject, let
true as a seedling."
Apart from the controversial part of the subus
now
turn to the
subject
itself.
The
* Journal of the AgrUHorticuItural Society of India, f Firminger's Manual of Gardening.
PROPAGATION.
seeds of choice and selected sorts
utilized than
47
may be
seeds,
better
throwing them away or mixing with

kinds.
varieties
insignificant
From these
though
is
equally good
may
not turn out, there

distinct
a possibility of being obtained.
some new or
varieties
For seedling purposes,
fully
developed and
well ripened seeds of available good kinds should be procured in the season, t. e. in the months of July, August, September and October, and washed
clean
to,
of the
and dried
in the
consistency that might stick theresun or air. In the meantime

receive
suitable
filled
holes to
the
seeds should be
up by adding
to the soil old
and well rotten
vegetable refuse.
To keep up an equilibrium of and temperature, a shady place light, moisture, should be selected where no danger is to be
apprehended from the seed being trampled over
by human
feet
or
visited
by
other
animals.
likely to
Under favourable conditions, they are break within a month or so.
The seeds
surface,
or
stones
as
called, should be sown about
they are sometimes inches below the
and
six inches asunder,
and covered over
with fibrous vegetable mould. If sown during the rains, no watering is required but the bed should be often examined whether it requires
water or
minatio'ft
Constant moisture hastens gron the one hand, while on the other
hot.
rots the stone itself.
transplantation being not
48
next autumn,
it
necessary until the
should have
hoeing way and watering. Stunted and weak seedlings must be rooted out and thrown off.
careful treatment in the
of weeding,
As
young
transplantation
trees,
promotes the growth of seedlings should be transplanted

third time cut off the
several times until the third year since germination.

In sifting a second or
tap-
and put the plants into a new bed. This operation is technically termed 'Castration/
root carefully
the object being to induce them to
make
surface
roots rather than underground, the former tending

to
fructify
this
By
more profusely than in the latter case. operation tall and barren trees have been
fruits,
it
observed to change their shape and to bear

is
work upon well rooted and although and it is more so when undertaken grown up trees, by a novice. The best and safest procedure would
risky to
be to
'castrate* the plants w,hen
they are too young
and
in
good vigour.
of the
Besides the increase in the

thus
castrated, they form very
yield
trees
handsome bushes, spreading branches even from

the very lowermost portion done by a grafted tree.
of the
trunk as
is
At
ment
least
a month or two before the commencerainy
season, seedlings required for should be lifted up from the grafting purposes, off and Let them estabpotted singly. ground
lish
of the
themselves in their new homes and await the
season.
By
lifting
seedlings
earlier,
we
save
PROPAGATION.
49
much
follow
of
our future troubles that are likely to by the death of the unestablished plants
In
grafted.
each
lifting
a certain
percentage,
;
which may be considerable or small, must die so they must be given some time between the time
of lifting
and grafting
in
order that one

the
may be
surviving
ensured of the exact number of

plants.
Pots required for potting must be of good size and well burnt, and should have large holes at the bottom. The size must be proportionate t\ e.
neither too long and narrow nor very wide and
flat,
and see that the plant might get

to live in
it
sufficient
space
for
some
time.
The
necessity of well
is apparent from the fact that they have the power of retaining excess of moisture due to constant rain, and are able to withstand the
burnt pots
danger of being broken as

of
insufficiently
it
happens
in the case
burnt pots.
The
the hole at the bottom
of a pot considered as of minor importance, for it is regarded as the main passfge for the egress of water
largeness of should not be
that
accumulates
in
to,
the the
pots.
soil
If
this
is
not
properly attended
in
the pot would

its
soon become damp and uncongenial to

pier.
is,
occu-
Another
the
that
disadvantage that it brings in water which the* pot receives from

its
above, does not find
way
to enter into Ute
soil,
inasmuch as the
overflowed with
capillary
tubes either remain
accumulated water, or become
50
compressed by its pressure from above. Thee fundamental principles pf gardening should be
carefully
studied without
which one would have

in
to
trouble
himself
much
carrying
put
its
operations successfully.
grafting strictly speaking be performed during the rainy 'inarching/ should season which commences in July and lasts up to the middle of October. Be it remembered that
The
operation
of
the period from the beginning to "the middle part of the season is the best and most suitable for
There are some who are apt to believe that trees might be grafted even at the
the purpose.
very close of the season which then approaches to cold, a period when the sap of a tree would not like to run the risk of being confronted with
the
chill
that surrounds
slit
and
fills
the space within

graft.
and without the

in
or joint of the
More-
the sap of the stock over, and scion as well, becomes thick and inert which
the
cold weather,
prevents the point of union from being supplied with the necessary amount of %ioistuie, the want of which brings in a thin layer on each of the
two
that
slits.
if,
Hence
it
must be
distinctly understood
during the thin and active state of the sap which is the only medium for uniting the two
together,
result
grafting'
operation
is
performed, the
there exist
half-rifl^ne4
would be satisfactory and successful.

to
As
the
selection
of seedlings
conflicting
opinions,
some
prefer
PROPAGATION.
51
wood
of the previous year hard and thick wood even
while others prefer
five
years
old.
But
both parties have strong arguments in support of their respective opinions which we will discuss
later
on.
My
partiality
for
young plants
of the
previous year has been extreme for more causes than one, the first and foremost among them
being their readiness for uniting with the scion

in
a short time, and as a consequence, requiring less trouble and less care. When the season
in,
an established and healthy seedling to a tree you like to take graft from, and select an equally healthy branch for scion which must
sets
take
Then
the
be of the same age and thickness. place the seedling so that it may be easily inclined and adhere to the selected branch of
necessarily
tree.
When
of a
a branch
is
not available close
to the ground, the
plant-in-pot
should be raised
or by any other
by means
scion
bamboo support
it
;
contrivance near to
easily
and see
if
the seedling and
minimizing
touch each other by a bend. For labour and trouble, the platform
for grafting
system adapted
answers well.
When
a large number of grafts from any particular tree is necessary, it is advisable to erect a platform
Machan supported by bamboo and wooden poles just beneath the branch that has many offor
shoots suitable for grafts, and on these should be spread planks. In order
machans
that
the
branch
mav
not be
moved bv
hicrh
winds or storms,
52
it
should be strongly tied with a pole or anything may serve the purpose.
that
For taking grafts from lower branches, I have seen in Calcutta and its suburbs, seedlings are
put in
while
united.
the ground, but this to
some extent
objec-
tionable on the score of risking their destruction
removing them
I
after
they shall have been

safest
am
therefore of opinion that the
way would be to get plants-in-pots.

Let us
All that
is
now proceed with

necessary
is
the operation itself. a sharp knife and a quantity
of soft bast, thread, or string.
Having these things

foot
it,
ready, bring the scion as close to the
of the
stock
as
possible without
injuring
and mark
the points where they
Then
with
exactly touch each other. of the knife take off the bark by means
slantingly
wood
cut
from the sides that face

;
each other of the stock and scion

the
in the
the
depth of
for
middle should not exceed one-third
of the
diameter of each of them.
As
the
length,
an
inch
cut
or
two
will
suffice.
The
held
portions
thus
out
should be
firmly
together by the left hand and by the right coiled round with the string very tightly but gently. To prevent heat and moisture passing through,
necessary to plaster it over lyith graftingwax, but the country system is to give a coating
it is
of
clay.
The
others are
processes among easy and had been adopted by the
following two
author with success.
PROPAGATION.
I.
53
"Take 27
it
oz.
of
common
yellow
resin,
and melt
turpentine.
gradually,
so as not to drive off the
When
10
a syrup
add
reduced to the consistency of Slake them oz. of alcohol.
thoroughly together and pour the mixture at once into a well stoppered bottle."* II. "Five-eighths of black pitch, one eighth each of the wax of bee, tallow, and resin. Put
them together
in
a glue pot and melt them
down
is
over a slow fire."f
Never appjy the composition when

hot
;
it
too
in testing
;
its
fitness
it
should be touched
by a finger
particular
is
I
sation apply
should this not cause burning senwithout fear of any danger, but be
that the entire

it.
worked part
of the graft
thickly covered with
On
several
occasions
in.
used only black pitch made thin by boiling the fire heat which proved successful.
Grafts
take a
month
to
When
part of
they would appear to the scion should be half-cut and allowed to

;
two to unite together. have united, the lower
remain a week or two

have shrivelled
stood that they
the
tree
;
if
in
the
they do not seem to least, it should be under-
ready to be separated from now the stock with scion should be

are
totally
separated by another cut, and removed to a sheltered place. An application of the grafting
* Gardeners' Chronicle, April 28, 1860. t William Paul's Rose Garden.
54
tomposition at the base of the scion thus cut will prevent the exudation of the sap*
Another point
looked
5
in
grafting should not be over-
it
is
to
select
shoots that
are to be
attached to the seedlings, from the side and lower branches, for they fructify earlier, and more than the
perpendicular and upper branches do.

In
Murshidabad and Maldah as

;
well,
people
are fond of big grafts

this
the seedlings employed for

five
purpose are sometimes
or six years old.
This evidently requires as much old and thick a branch for scion as the stock itself, and takes a
longer period to unite together than usual. Experience has shown that a big tree in a pot cannot receive the amount of food to support itself and
the grafted scion
the tree
;
hence follow the weakness of
and delay in uniting, Again it has often been seen that stock and scion do not bear similarity of
in
age or bulk which is an important secret Scion or stock that has attained grafting.
maturity and is hard, can be hardly bent to the desired point, and is liable to be broken by the force
applied in bending,
rator
is
Such being the
case, the ope-
naturally compelled to
wherever they meet together. mentioned in a previous chapter

are
make the As I have

that
junction
already
grafts
made
there a foot or two above the base of

this
is
a seedling and
objectionable
for
more
reasons than one, the

difficulty
first
experienced
in
and foremost being the planting which requires
PROPAGATION.
the join
half
55
immersed
into the soil,
and the pro-
pensity of the trees to
grow upwards.
in
The argu-
ments advanced by those

system, are
that
favour of the above
the
more durable, and that they
big grafts are stronger and fruit earlier than the
green or half-ripened ones do. The accuracy of the
arguments is though partially true, yet considering the time the seedlings take to grow so large,
I
am
equally justified in remarking that the
or half-ripened
green ones which take less time and

less
require Considerably
if
trouble
and attention,
after
being separated from the tree be treated
half
as
much
time,
will
not,
am
sure,
ignore
the
advantages which would otherwise have been derived, and at the same time serve the aims and
objects that underlie grafting.
Notwithstanding
all
directions that
may be given
to the so-called malts
who
are no better than or-
dinary labourers, they would strictly adhere to the erroneous principles and the empirical methods
of
their
forefathers
believe that they are

tances, the reader
if
much more they seem to Under the circumsexperts.

well imagine or better feel,
may
he ever had the misfortune to get such

establishment,
neglect
the
difficulties
men
in
his
arising
habits
from
wilful
and
proneness of
of
which
stand a barrier in the
and
of
impressing
systematic works, way blockheads the their into
successful
and
advanced
escape
the
methods
evil
of
modern
of such
gardening.
To
outcome
56
I
circumstances,
entirely to
would advise the amateur not

experience and
depend upon them.
But,
however, as far as
I
my
observations went,
grafts
made with
always attained success with stock and scion of the same
age which had never been more than a year or two old. Half ripened wood, only a year old, is well suited for the purpose, being neither too hard
nor. too soft to
work upon.
of green grafting is accompanied and by advantages disadvantages as wefl. The

solitary
is
The system
advantage that
may be
derived from
it
the short period which a graft would take to unite as for the disadvantage, I may mention that a green seedling is likely to undergo a check
;
and to
suffer
it
from the effects of the incision
go on with the operation which but a neat-hand gardener can do with success. The difference arising from
moreover
requires a careful
to
hand
those two systems, vis. grafting of green plants and the former half ripened stems, is very little
;
comes
to
season a
to
little,
say a year or
two
later.
received by the Agri-Horticultural Society of India on the subject of grafting, the Superintendent of Public
With reference
a communication
"The plant sent was Gardens, Allahabad, writes before last and the year grafted you can still see
:
the end of the very thin
seedling
stock
and the
complete junction made.

fulness,
the
trees
With regard to fruitgrafted in this manner have
PROPAGATION.
fruited
57
in
>
here.
There
is
no difference whatever
in
-the fruit
from those grafted
the ordinary
way
the trees however
were a couple
of years later
in fruiting but they are almost double the size of the other trees of the same age and they more
than
made up
for
the lateness in fruiting by the
extra quantity of fruit that they gave the first two years in which they did fruit they are also of
;
cleaner and stronger growth and

will
in
all
probability
In grafting,
to see that
give heavier crops as they go on.

to
two points are

the seed
the
[>n
be careful about
ist.
is
attached to
to
and has not

;
fallen
from
seedling
the
be used as stock
2nd. to graft
of the
last
semi-hardened wood that

of the previous year."*
is
growth
About three years

:>n
before, a few grafts

in
were made
of which green seedlings weeks' time, while the thicker ones joined in 3 to 4 took a longer time before they were ready. This
justifies
Raesbagh, most
me
up on
safely,
once they are operated there was no more fear, and when got
in saying that
down and
they established themselves very soon which was apparent from the fact of their making fresh growth with vigour, the perplanted,
centage of loss from death being at the same time too small or rather nominal.
*
or
Proceedings of the Agri- Horticultural Society of India

1887.
August
GENUINENESS OF GRAFTS.
THE
in
increased love for mangoes and the predilio
tion for
mango orchards have given rise to a trade In the private gardens of mango grafts. nobles and gentlemen, grafts are made to a limited
and those even are intended
their
for the
extent,
owners
themselves or for
outsiders
friends
and
relatives,
having very limited or no share in the As a matter of course, a trade has sprung stock. up to meet the public demand which is largely
supplied by
wise.
nurserymen and plant-dealers
like-
who would
of
For the sake of economy, there are many like to get grafts from the common
their charge
plant-dealers,
being
it
less
than that
in
the
nurserymen.
But
must be borne
cheapness leads to adulteration and which low class plant-dealers are well cheating conversant with. A substantial and genuine outthat
mind
turn
'.should
follow
cash
investment
but
in
such cases a miserly habit would bring in bad Expense should be no conthings assuredly,
sideration
is
where
the
object in
the thing genuineness of I have often observed in view.
the Calcutta market that these plant-dealers would not hesitate even to give the worst variety that
they might happen to have in stock instead of what
wanted by the purchaser. To obtain genuine grafts, it would be wise to take from reliable and trustworthy people.
is
actually
It
would not be out
of place here to discuss
.GENUINENESS OF GRAFTS.
59
first
&
point having special reference to the

of
prin-
ciples
grafting.
Some
maintain
that
the
;
stock and scion should be of the same variety the stock employed for to be more explkit,
grafting should be
of
the
same
is
variety as
to find
the the
J
scion
itself.
But
am
at a great loss
principle which the opinion

quite-differ in this
based upon, and

first
point.
In
the
place,
as
has already been said in the previous chapter, there exists a great uncertainty as to the character
of the
seedlings which
might or might not be
faithful in inheriting the true merits of their respec-
tive parents.
Had
it
not been so,
2*.
.,
were the
seedling
live
plants to exactly take after their respec*
mothers,
for
nobody
should
entail
have
great
in-
clination
grafts every year heavy expenses and troubles, and at the same time yield less quantity of fruits than the seedling trees doI
that
have never observed nor heard of any graft

selected.
of
being improved or degenerated by the employment

of
seedlings
indiscriminately
Practice
supported by theory has afforded immense proof,

since the early days of horticulture,
that
of
the fact
the agency of seedlings
is
simply necessary
to support
and nourish the graft with the requisite amount of sap $ for some trees and shrubs, that
can not always do at all, are
live
on
their
own
roots, or
if
they
likely
change
in
their
undergo a perceptible true character, apparently from

to
,the nature of climate
^nd
soil.
6*
It
has more
than
once been asserted that
seedlings generally,
mangoes
in
particular,
are
apt to ignore their parental character and the reasons ascribed to this phenomenon require lesa
and no
further
mention
Mr.
F.
than what has been

B.
heretofore
made.
"if
Fuller
is
also
of
opinion seeds of
that
young
trees
be grown from the
the best
will
Bombay
mangoes, the
fruit
they give nearly When the seedlings themthe parent tree."* selves are liable to change, I do not see any necessity for hunting for the seedlings of choice
kinds,
not be
as good as that oi
and
it
does not matter whether they be

or
of
Fuzli) or
Bombay,
any
insignificant
variety
for the purposes of grafting.

I
In
this
I
connection,
will
may mention one
fact
which
presume
elucidate the point at issue. Some years before, a large and well ripened citron was given me by a relative of mine. The fruit was indeed far
superior to
the
ordinary ones that are available

its
in the market, in in
its
flavour
size
and substance.
four
and sweetness, and I sowed a few of its

For
seeds
but
only
germinated.
some
;
of reason or other two of the seedlings died the remaining two, one gave fruits eatable though but inferior; while the other bore fruits in bunches
on each branch, but they were so aciduous and bitter in taste that the tree was cut down the
*
Agricultural Primer.
GENUINENESS OF GRAFTS.
fourth
61
year since
the seedlings, Dr.

that
Referring to Roxburgh very rightly observes

it
fruited
first.
"there
fruit
is
the
rior
so
will
raised.
sort
no depending on the quality of The seed of a very supeand produce fruit of a bad kind
;
vice versa, hence such an infinite variety ."*
There
are
many
other authorities
that
may be quoted
here to convince the amateur of the absurdity 'of the theory. In green-houses as well as out bf doors
we have many
never take
shrubs and
their
trees that
seldom or
but will
root on
own
heels
readily conjoin with others differing altogether in species, without losing sight of the least of
their
respective origin.
We
never graft Aralia
vitchii, A. elegantissima or A. gracilimum on seed-
lings
or
cuttings of themselves
is
again
Ipomoea
not grafted on a seedling of itself but on a indigenous climber of the jungles peaches on indigenous peaches or on plums
Horsefallae
; ;
sapota on khirnee or Edward^roses
English roses on dog-, Manetti* and it is a wonder that we
succeed every day in securing as true grafts as the plants themselves. Hence it is clear and
obvious that for grafting purposes no particular kind of seedling is at all necessary but we should
prefer indigenous and hardy varieties that would
stand the
soil
and climate
that
of the district,
It
is
astern^
fact
the stock
has nothing toTdo
scion^r"the graft except4eiûgporting it

Roxburgh's Flora
Incjica,
62
relation or rather connection that lies Between
is
The
the stock and the scion
yet a mystery.
Regarding the advantages and

of
genuineness
:
Tropical Agriculturist writes "But as seedlings are so slow in coming into

grafts
the
bearing, and do not always

of the fruit,
it
preserve the quality
would be
to
have recourse to
more advantageous The grafting and budding.

far
is
great object of grafting
to preserve andjnulti-
ply varieties and sub-varieties oi fruit trees, the transferred with qualities "^)T which cannot be
certainty to their offspring by seeds, and which would be multiplied too slowly or ineffectually
by any other mode of propagation, as well as to accelerate and improve the fruiting of the trees,"
MANAGEMENT.
suppose that our work ceases with planting, but a responsible gardener would think otherwise, because from this time his labour and
IT
is
idle to
anxiety increase. The erroneous idea which leads one to neglect his favourites, serves to advance the
cause of
failure,
conditions in
notwithstanding all nature and soil as well.
favourable
It is
often
seen that individuals take to gardening either for

pleasure
or
for profit at the first
fast for
impulse of their
hesi-
mind, and would run

tating,
some time not
even to expend more than was actually necessary but as an inevitable consequence, they
;
MANAGEMENT,
soon
fall
63
short of energy and leave things entirely

cattle
to the
mercy of the
and goats and the men

in
employed.
it
Be
it
either for pleasure or for pro6t,
should always be borne
mind
that without
constant supervision and care, success cannot be achieved. There are circumstances which
might sometimes -subdue our desires or bring about fresh causes which are calculated to damp
It is also the spirits of an amateur. sometimes causes that tiresomeness
possible
loss
of
energy,
ultimately
resulting
in
sad failure and
As a precautionary heart-renting disappointment. measure, it is of the greatest moment to engage

experienced and trustworthy men conversant in the business of an orchard. To employ a so-called
malt and leave the orchard to his mercy, is to indirectly encourage him in doing what he pleases.
poorly-paid
mali cannot
fielp
seeking
other
means, though and among these
unfair, for the supply of his

I
wants
may mention from
my own
experience, neglect of duty and stealing of the grafts by themselves by replacing any available tree of mango, of course, in their respective steads, are
the principal ones.
This abominable custom

gardening.
directly
is
not
class
uncommon
of
in
Again, there
is
people
who
for
encourage them by
bribes for
some choice
trees that these selfish
men
desire to secure
themselves.
These ignorant
mails
who
are half-fed and insufficiently clothed

unqualified censure, fer
do not alone deserve our
64
it
the former ought to share
in the
same proportion
Besides those
as those
who
are bribed by them.

at
who employ men

guilty of
rather too low rates which

life
never cover their wants of daily

forcing starvation
are morally
upon them and are to

committed by
a certain extent liable to blame.
Then
cattle
there
are
the
ravages
when
of
trees are
not properly protected
by
means
often
fencing.
In
most of the gardens,
it is
no proper precaution is taken to save the young plants from the attacks of animals which eat away the new shoots and leaves, from
seen that
the effects of
which sometimes the
trees
die
surviving ones are greatly damaged, and take some months ere they could If regain their former condition. hedges all round
altogether, whilst the
the
orchard
be
too
costly, a
fence with wide
circumference rouift each tree at a small expense, would answer the purpose. The lattices of the
fence
must
be
so
closely
intercrossed,
that
even the head of a goat or sheep may not be

thrust in
;
rtejeajttoudh^themoisture
of jajypafs
mouth
seriously injures plants.
a wise and economic plan to utilize the intervening spaces in the orchard by growing
It is
some
temporary
This
is
crops for the
first
few years,
until the trees shall
have grown to a considerable
height.
caution
against
not only calculated to be a prethe attacks of cows, sheep, and
goat but also confers manifold advantages,
among
MANAGEMENT.
which
soil
b>
65
may mention way of crop

and
lastly
the constant stirringjof the

cultivation, protection
from
blasts,
of
the
costs
incurred
the recovery of a good portion in forming the orchard.
But special attention must be paid to the selection of crops,, because there are many crops that would
soon exhaust the
the trees,
soil, telling
thereby heavily upon

like sugarcane,
our favourites.
The crops
elephant grass, maize etc, are gross-feeders and would in a single season impoverish the soil and
rob
it
of
vigorous or flax, form a great barrier to the access of air and light to the trees, the want of which may be well
valuable ingredients. Besides, their and tall growth, as also those of jute
its
perceived by a scrutinizing observer
from the
appearance might be profitably

plantain trees that
I
of the trees.
The intervening spaces
utilized by introducing the found giving satisfactory results in keeping up constant moisture in the soil and the trees from the protecting young scorching midday sun by their wide and long leaves which
do not at the same
time
obstruct
free
venti-
lation of air or the access
of light.
is
nearness of the plantain bushes

of
Moreover, the taken advantage

is
by the
mangoes
in
obtaining potassium which

their
to
so very necessary
for
which
contributes
their
woody development fruitfuln-ess. The
system which the people of Murshidabad follow is opposed to theory and may be said to be
defective,
the plantain-trees
being
so
closely
66
planted
time,
to
TRfcAllSte
ON MANGO.
ones that
in
the
mango
light.
short
the
former become
greatly air and
As
big bushes obstructing the result of my own
suggest that plantains should be planted at least 4 feet distant from the trees, and 8 to 10 feet apart in rows. The secret of success in
experience,
I
may
the cultivation of plantains lies in the fact that the
bushes should be thinned out by separating the
young
suckers
may way
not overcrowd
year after year, so that they themselves or do not in any
interfere with the
growth of the grafts
while
on the contrary they

turn sufficient
order.
to
will yield a
remunerative outorchard
in
keep
up the
good
An
orchard should always be clear of weeds and
jungles which abundantly grow, especially during the rainy season ; and for this purpose the soil
should be worked the kodali.

of the food
now and then by
the plough
or
These weeds and jungles rob the plants

and prevent the soil
of
in coining in contact
with the atmospheric elements.

point of view, owners
(Anthistiria arundinacea) to
antly,
Frota an economic
many gardens
grow
in
allow ulu
luxuri-
them
and as a
result, the trees within
a few years
become unhealthy and leafless,followed by a decrease in the quantity and degeneration in the quality of
the
fruits.
Now,
in
many
orchards
it
has often been
seen that turmeric (curcuma longa) is cultivated year after year under the mango bushes, a practice,
we
strongly
disapprove on
the
ground that the
MANAGEMENT.
fruits greatly -deteriorate
67
oy ine turmeric. But the owner, being unable to detect the causes of such deterioration, abandons all hopes
in flavour
mangoes, laying more stress on ulu grass which grow by themselves and are a better paying
of his
crop
under
the
circumstances.
The more
the
trees are
open, the
more vigorous
kept clear of the weeds and the soil will be the growth tend-
ing to fruit. Shape, health, and fruitfulness are the chief objects to be aimed at, and in order to
attai'n
them, the
soil
should have always kind and
proper treatment.
The branches and

tree should
be
shoots of a sickly and stunted chopped off, so that the contagion
may not spread along the living parts of the tree. These may appear to be of minor importance,
but
it
must be remembered that they present a
most unsightly appearance and sometimes cause an absolute death to tire tree.
As on
the one hand
watering
in
proportion to
the dryness of the soil is indispensably necessary, so on the other, excess of water that accumulates
at
the 'base
of
the
trees during the rainy season
should be drained out.

tree
True
it
is
that a
mango
would stand on flooded land
for
some months
together,
but the water that so logs should never
be considered to produce beneficial results. The bad practice of takrng grafts from very
plants, say four -or five years old, should be discouraged by every 'means, -because ft not -only
young
68
at the
weakeps but
ly.
Moreover,
same time disfigures them great the removal of the lower branchej
causes the trees to grow erect which, as I have pointed out in a previous chapter, is not at all desir
able.
tree
is
Again, the question of shape and figure of not an unimportant one, for a garden is
of
resort
pleasure and recreation ; so everything therein should have a pleasing aspect to cheer up
even the gloomiest mind.

of
topes are really refreshing to the eye and an ornament to the garden itself.
The magnificent
mango
Root-pruning and manuring should also be conWholesale pruning ducted with judiciousness.
and manuring without any regard under treatment, have different

group
;
to
the
varieties
effects
on each
to
so they
must be regulated according
the order of the season of the fruiting of each. Some people out of fancy allow their plants to
bear
turity.
It is
fruits
they shall have arrived at maThis most assuredly exhausts the trees.
before
five
advisable that trees under

It
is
years
should
be disbudded.
not
uncommon
be
that grafts
come
into blossom the second or third year, but a
sensible
respect.
,
grower
ought
to
careful
in
this
Great inconvenience
is
felt
accuracy of the names of trees,

so
owing to the inand sometimes it
happens that the owner himself cannot single out the particular tree he wants. This is partly
due to want of care
for the
names, and partly to
PESTS AND DISEASES.
69
the conservative idea of keeping them secret, and

as a
matter of course, he himself forgets the true names, or the man in charge of the orchard dies
It
is,
with the names.

reasons only, that
we presume,
for
these
we often meet with the sartve named in another district or even in another garden in the same district. But it would be of great benefit to the owner himself and his family as well, should he make out a ground plan of his garden on a small scale and mark the spots
tree differently
where the
and
trees are planted, with letters or figures,
record
the
names
figures as the case
may
against the letters or be, in a small note-book
a glance at the pages of the note-book would give a correct idea even to an outsider as to the situation
of each tree. This
is
neither expensive nor troubleit is
some, and once done,
done
for ever.
PESTS AND DISEASES.

The mangoes, fruits and trees alike, are subject numerous diseases which I shall attempt' to deal
in this
to
with
chapter
The sombre appearance

its
healthfulness
bespeaks which can only be preserved by
of the tree
supplying it with the necessary amount of nouriWeakness, shing food and proper treatment.
poverty of
soil,
all
and want
diseases.
of
manure and water are

tree in vigorous growth
the sources of
70
is
and sound condition
less liable to
any disease
than a poor and dwindled one. Leaflessness and awkwardly curled leaves are the first symptoms
of a disease
;
but
it
requires patience
and judg-
ment
part shoot
is
to
diagm&e the true cause and
to detect the
affected.
is
When any
it
particular branch or
affected,
maybe
decided that the disease
confined to that particular branch or shoot, whilst
an entire tree presenting similar appearance easily leads one to conclude that either the trunk or
the roots must have
grubs.
The
been affected by insects or root-disease, which works at ease

rapidity into the entire tree, should
and with much
be eradicated with
as
little
delay as possible.
less
The
measures taken, the would be the trouble and risk.

earlier
are
the
In the year 1888, a
number
in the
of
mango
trees
had
been attacked by grubs
gardens of the Cossi-
pur Horticultural Institution with which I was then connected. After an active search the affected
part of
each tree was detected.

fe
small hole
about the size of the head of

vestigation.
nail led to
my
inI
With a sharp and pointed knife,
split open the affected parts, and followed the lonsometimes horizontal bores that the gitudinal,
grubs had made into the branches, by opening the bark and wood until they were detected at last.
From the very appearance of the grubs it was re* markable that they could have endured and out* Jived the hot iron rod which was thrust into their
PESTS AND DISEASES.
71
respective holes, and that how long had it taken them to work up so long an aperture through the
wood. The bores that were made longitudinally were convenient for the purposes of my operation,
but those worked

splintered
horizontally,
could not
to
be
tree.
1
without
causing
to
injury
the
evil,
Persistently
striving
remedy
them
the
made bores
tool,
little
wider by means of a carpenenter

into
ter's
so
as
to
the
rose
then a strong and lukewarm of a syringe $ solution of tobacco mixed with soap-suds was applied over and over again, until the grub came
out dead, or as in some cases half dead.
The
ap-
few days more, because plication which the grubs might it was feared lest the eggs, have deposited within, should come into life and
for a
was repeated
continue the ravages

decessors.
commenced by
their pre-
When
each
it
perished, bees' wax.
hole
appeared that the eggs had was plastered over with
appear to have been attacked at the roots should be specially dealt with, and as
trees
that
The
an important measure, the base of such trees should be carefully dug to a considerable distance
and depth, taking sufficient care not to hurt the roots and if necessary, a certain quantity of earth
;
should be removed from around the stem, so that

the roots might come in contact with air and the sun. In the meantime endeavours should be made to detect the affected parts
and
to
remedy the disease
72
by cleansing and washing tlie portion with soap or a weak solution of sulphate of copper. When
it
will appear that the disease has been properly remedied, the roots should be covered over with
fresh
soil
intermixed
with some limy manure,
such as bone-dust, weak lime, or ashes.

disease
it
The
root-
is
to be
its
apprehended
all
in
the extreme,
as
spreads
influences
over the tree, running

in the
through trunk, branch, and leaf, resulting affectation of the fruits and seeds at last.
The mango-beetle which was long

by
Fabricus as
described
Cryptorinchus mangiferae, com-
monly known as weevil, feeds in its larvae state upon the pulp of the fruit, and when fully developtrates into the seed
ed and grown with jaws sufficiently strong, peneand devours the kernel. The
beetle
not only damages the fruit but also by affecting the seed produces unhealthy and sickly
plants,
duction
which again spread the disease by the proof such diseased fruits. With a view to
it is
save the future generations of the mango,

absolute necessity that
all
of
such infested
fruits
should
be entirely smashed or burnt, or shelter in some corner or crevice
it
would take
it
until
finds a
home
for future depredations.
Another
class
of
insects
lassus,
is
known
as 'bugs/
belonging to the
to the
genus
most mischievous
mango
crops,
According to the learned

Saharanpur
"des.
botanist, Mr. Gollan, Superintendent,
Botanical gardens these insects are most
PESTS AND DISEASES.

tructive to the
lions
73
in mil-
mango
blossoms,
appearing
upon the flowers" and "they appear to subsist
on the juices of the leaves and flowers, and partiBut Mr. Frederic cularly upon the pollens, etc.
they are no pollen-eating insects, but live entirely upon the juices of the leaves and young shoots of the tree."
Moore
of
Penge
is
of opinion that
"
However, taking
live
upon
still
have
it for granted that they do not the juices of the mango blossoms, we every reason to fear the ravages that
are likely to be caused to the leaves and then to the fruits and seeds. The numerous galls that are
met with upon the leaves 'are said

of
to
be the
work
of
these
pests that are
known by
the
name
Dipterous and Hymenopterous. But there is a conflict of opinion as to the genus to which they
respectivly belong, for Mr. Cotes, late of the Ento-
mological Section of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, maintains that the Dipterous belongs to the
SyrphideS) a family of Dipterous insect, while Mr. Moore is of opinion that it may probably belong to the Cecidomyia.
a two-winged fly, in shape an elongated cone and has eight bands of strong, dark hooks.
It is
The grub
is
eyeless and
its
hooked jaws serve the
purposes of
legs. appointed sometime ago to investigate into the sub* ject, and a report of which was read at the general
The committee which was
meeting of the Microscopical Society and published in the Journal of the Agri-Horticultural Society
74
ot
India,
is
of opinion that this
to
beetle did not
be a pest of the mango, so appear far as the uninjured fruits were concerned. But as far as my observations go I can say without
to
them
any hesitation that
this insect
was found
in
many
cases in the mangoes of Lower Bengal, particularly of Jaynagore, a village in the Baruipur subdivision, 24-Pergunnahs,
visit
which
had occasion to
during two or three mango seasons,

to all appearance
The
fruits
seemed
as
good as any,
while in some a very minute spot or bore was and when these fruits were cut, the grub visible
;
away' and the pulp was found com* These flies have become so pletely damaged. numerous that it would take some time ere their
inside
flew
extinction could be effected,
and
their depredations
find
are
so
extensive that
fruit
4id
not
even a
solitary
work
the
is
ravages. Their not confined to any particular part of

that escaped
their
fruit,
for
they, as
operations into the kernel.

are
first
I have said, begin their with the substance and then go
Unless these
infested
fruits
completely destroyed, grubs leave within in the
the germs
that
the
shape of blackish themselves The netrapidly. globules spread which contain the excreta and work of tunnels
.
eggs
of
the
insects
in
such
abundance
is
that
the substances are
seldom
eatable,
fruits.
js
not
un-
common even
in
the green
The extent
to which these
grubs work
not to be
PESTS AND DISEASES.

dered
at>
75
them
and energy enable a spoil good many fruits in a season, leaving one after the other. It has been also observed that fruits had traces 6f
for their activity
to
work and
their depredations while

It
no worm was to be seen.
thus concluded that they leave one soon as they have finished it for a fresh one and subsequently, that is, when the season is
fruit
may be
as
over and unless they die, they take shelter into the life adjacent jungles or heaps of rubbish that
within
a short distance.
company
may They appear again in with an immense number of cohorts
next season with renewed vigour for fresh attacks. Curious and sincere observers ought, therefore,
to be always mindful of watching their
movements
with particular care and attention and to check any further spread of these destructive pests.
In
many
cases, no
trace
of attacks could
be
found from the mere appearance of the fruit by which one is sometimes deluded it is also curious
;
to note that notwithstanding the
spot or
sign
on
the
;
absence of any should have skin, they

inference that
either
is
penetrated drawn from the

lays
its
the fruits
but the
is
fact,
that
the
eggs into the ovary of the blossoms

state
queen which
most probably envelope them, or that

their larval
until
enter the
is
fruits,
they in working inward
performed and with the development of the fruits, the holes on the skin
their
mission
disappear*
76
In
Murshedabad and other places
a
I
have seen
many
mango
tree having knots on branches
and
trunks,
large basket.
varying in size from a small play-ball to a These knots appear to be like the
all
heads of the negroes splintered

face.
over the sur-
Such knotty trees are very common at Murshedabad I caused some of the knots to be
;
removed from a tree and cut open, and examined them by means of a powerful glass. It appeared to me to be like the skin diseases of animals,
caused by ring worms.
liar to
This knot-desease
is
pecu-
the
mango
trees only,
because
have never
seen any other tree than mango, being attacked by it. It is also to be noted that it is a contagious one
and spreads from one branch to the other, and from one tree to another close by it. From what
I
observed
trees
I am of opinion that the density of the themselves and want of sufficient air and
solar heat in the orchards

their
is
the
cause from which
worms spring
up.
Trees or branches thus
attacked should be heavily amputated and the knots burnt by fire at once, and in cases where such amputation
or shortning
is
not possible
make
the
branches clean of them and then wash the place with tepid soap water. This wash may be repeated
day or two more and afterwards apply a tnick coat of tar over it.
for a
Exudation of
gum
is
one of the diseases to which
mango
trees are subject, the
trees in particular, being
young and healthy much more liable to the
PESTS
AND
DISEASES.
I
77
virulence of the disease.
have often marked that
often attacked by the vigorous young disease, and the reason assigned is the excess of richness in the soil. Whether it is due to the
trees are
outburst of superfluous sap or to the attacks oi some insects, is yet to be determined. But some of
the plants that were
so
attacked, were examined
by me and I have no hesitation in saying from what I observed that the track through which the
gum was
as
it
oozing out was exactly of the same nature
were worked by some insects. It was however possible that there were insects within either before
first flow began* Yet it remains to be observed whether insects precede flow, or flow preceds insects. Whatever it might be, it is certain
or after the
that
a continuous flow of resinous liquid weakens tree, followed by the shedding of the leaves, and
last.
worse than that by the death of the tree at
As a remedy
and
to
should
recommend
the reader to
cleanse the affected part with a fine bladed-knife
wash
it
with lukewarm water intermixed with
soap suds. Sprinkling of finely powdered sulphur on the affected part proved a success with Rai
Setab Chand Nahar Bahadur of Azimgunge,
writes as follows
"I
:
who
your
cannot
but thank
to
it
you heartily
saved
for
recommendation
grafts,
use
has
sulphur to the
mango
Cer-
as
I
indeed
my
grafts.
tainly
made
earlier,
otherwise
a mistake by not taking any steps I could have saved many
?8
A TREATISE ON MANGO,
have
perished
valuable grafts which
owing to
ignorance."* In a conversation which

at his
place,
I had recently with him as well as with his worthy son Babu I
Manilal Nahar,
was informed
that repeated applicaresults.
tion of soap suds only gave
most beneficial
The
latter
took
river
me
to their
garden on the other
side of the
and showed me the plants that
had been so attacked and were thus at the point of death, and when I saw them they appeared as good
and healthy as anything.
It
was due, he
said, to
the application of soap-water only.
There are several other insects that feed on

the leaves and
fruits,
but
it is
difficult to
enumerate
them with
in
their descriptions
and other particulars

I
little
work
like this.
therefore refer
my
J.
inquisitive readers to the valuable 'Contribution to
the
study of the
mango
weevils'
in the
by Mr.
W.
Simmnos, which appeared

Society's journal.f
Agri-Horticultural
calculated to pre-
As a remedy
vent
in
some degree,
I
at least, the insects
from their
dreadful attacks,
of
should suggest that burning of
decayed leaves and stubble at the windward heaps side of the orchards when the trees are in bloom
is
likely to
produce beneficial
is
results.
Rai Setab
Chand Nahar Bahadur

and he
told
also of the
same opinion,
me
distinctly that
on one occasion he
* Journal of the Agri- Horticultural Society of India, No. April-June 1892.

.
f Vol. VIII., Part
II.,
(new
series).
PESTS AND DISEASES.
J$
had one of
t\e*
his
mango bushes
soil
fire set to
treated in the sfcme
way, over with weeds and

fire
he had the
underneath the tree strewn

them. Of course, the
was not allowed to

the operation,
conflagrate.
The next year

barren tree
after
that
particular
yielded fruits in great abundance, and since then it has been fruiting well. Mr. W. J. Simmons in his most learned paper as mentioned heretofore
prescribes the use of salt manures as an
effectual
remedy against the attacks of insects. "I am told,"' he says, "that manuring a mango tree with salts
prevents the fruits from being attacked/'
"I
am"
he further says, "also told

right through the trunk,
that
and across
boring a hole it, and then
driving a plug of wood into the hole, diffuses the upward flow of the sap and throws it into the
branches more effectively than would otherwise be the case and that the tree is so invigorated
;
by the
that
operation as to enable
it
to live
down
the
larva of the weevil."

"in
Further more
he observes
the
case of insect-pests,
I
kerosine emul-
sions have proved efficacious."
have also heard
'plugging system/ as sugMr, Simmons, has the effect on barren gested by trees in inducing them to bear fruits. This I have
many
say
that
the
not experimented and cannot therefore vouch for

its
truth.
Should
in
ment and succeed

bear,
reader try this experiinducing barren fruit trees to

the
he would render an invaluable service to
the cause of horticulture;.
80
In
the
low
and
moist districts of
Nadia,
in the
Jessore, Dacca, Dinajpur,
Mymensing, and
southern parts of the 24 Pergunnahs, as also in Assam, different kinds of weevils invariably infest
the
mango
fruit.
fruits.
The bores
are in
many
cases not
visible to the
the
eye from the outward appearance of In many fruits, it has often been observed
when
than
cut or sliced, that blackish thread-like subs-
tances abound within.

fibres,
These threads are no other

surely
but blackishness was
due to
some
roots
root disease which cannot* be avoided unless
I did not know if it are properly treated. had any effect upon the stones or seeds, but the
taste of the fruit
was
dull
and
indifferent.
the year 1895, some of the young mango been attacked by pests known by the had plants
In
name
of
Pylotropidius didymus belonging to the
Acrididae family, the specimens of which
were sent
to the Deputy Superintendent, Indian Museum, Calcutta, by Pundit Gokul Das, Superintendent
of
Forests,
Merwar
State,
Jodhpur,
who
says,
"They have Appeared at Jodhpore in a mango and jaman plantation of one year old. They were perceived only a week ago when they began to eat
the leaves and bark of the
mango
plants.
They have
not touched jaman plants. During the daytime they remain attached to the dry branches of a shrub locally called Siniya or Sangtra (probably
one
at
of the Leguminosae)
and damage mango plants

sending parts of a mango
night.
am
also
PESTS AND DISEASES.

plant, the
8j
bark and leaves of which have been

it.
.eaten
by
this,
have burnt the dry shrubs, but in

*'
doing
plants are damaged.
In order to
re-
medy
in
the evil the Pundit very wisely burnt weeds
plantation which proved to be of great " about two acres of the plantation says were burnt by me, and the ashes sprinkled all over
the
effect.
He
the
mango
plants. Strange to say,
no more damage
has been done by the insects. They are still to be found here and there, and the ashes sprinkled over
the plants have been washed
ing,
away by hand-waternot
but the plants

;
have
been
damaged
inclined to
as yet.'
In
*
this chapter,
I
summing up
of
am
believe that
from the circumstances under which
mangoes
Bengal are attacked by various insects,
the excess of moisture at the roots, as also in the
atmosphere, is the primary source of all pests and diseases. Previous observations have clearly pr&ved to what extent Bengal mangoes are subject to be
by weevils, whose sphere of ravages is more confined to Lower Bengal and Assam than to any
infested
Apart from the natural and atmosphere, with which dampness they are always charged, even in the driest months of May and June, cloudy and rainy days in the
other Province of India.
of the soil
blossoming stage, have the most fatal effects on the mango-crop, for then, and then only it is,
Tlte Indian Agriculturist,
January
i,
1896.
$2
find
that these pests

for
carrying
out
their
the weather most congenial destructive cfepfedationS.
Mango-groWers should do well to burn sulphur, tobacco, tar or* cowduhg cakes or weeds and
jungles in their respective plantations from time to
time, especially from the blossottnng to the fruitirtg
period.
Expensive and troublesome though
it
may
seem, yet considering the
amount
of the great loss
every year, it would be more renumerative and pleasant when a good crop is
many
of us
suffer
harvested.
With a view
tion into
the
this
to conduct a systematic investigacauses and nature of the diseases, I
may
in
connection be permitted to suggest

exclusively fof this
that a conference be organised
purpose which should comprise representatives from local governments and administrations, agricultural
and
horticultural
societies,
land-holders
associations and other such bodies, private individuals also taking part in it. The work of such a
recorded and published from time to time in the leading journals until the
fully
final
conference should be
sitting
of the conference.
And
to
make a
prolonged investigation and to improve the cultivation of this favourite fruit, a Mango- Society may be formed as was suggested some time ago by Dr. Bonavia, and a journal issued periodically dealing
exclusively and entirely with the

I
mango.
These
am
sure will materially help the cause ol
mango*
growing which has long been treated empirically
CAUSES OF FAILURE.
fronji
83
generation to generation without any percep*
tftle
change
for the better.
CAUSES OF FAILURE.
PAINFUL disappointment, which we sometimes
by the failure of crops,
of
feel
may be overcome greatly by human intelligence and efforts in the treatment

little of
has very systematic orcharding, which, if not stimuJatedj is likely to degenerate our fruits in the
orchards.
Truly speaking,
India
near future.
Our orchards are
laid out
and trees
planted, generally very haphazardly, and as an inevitable consequence, there arises innumerable
tion of soil
way of keeping them up. Selecaqd situation, convenience of irrigation and labour, and advantages of personal superdifficulties in the
vision
are
of
paramount importance
n initiative.
let
for the con-
sideration of
Before proceeding further,
us see
how
the
causes njight be classified. I have already alluded to the means of success, and it now remains for
me
to point put
is likely to
the
measures, the adoption of

of failure.
which
be preventive
Success and failure partly depend upon natural human endeavours. causes and partly upon
Among
sive
the natural causes of failure, fogs, excesdew, clouds and rains, and diseases are the
foremost.
These natural
obstacles
are
difficult
84
to
surmount, though I have yet reasons to beis not it entirely beyond the control
to
fail
lieve that
of
overcoming the difficulties presented by nature, we must direct our attention to such measures as are calculated
in
human intelligence Where our endeavours
escape
from
them.
to
of
act
beneficially,
or
in
other words, selection
the locality
should be so wisely
made
that
these natural obstacles can hardly interfere with our orchards. Again, marshy *land wtfere water
logs
during
the
greater
part
of the
year,
is
one of the most unhealthy places for mangoes. A bog is also a source of various kinds of
diseases
which
so
often
visit
the
orchards
of
Lower Bengal.
It is
seldom seen that the mango
orchards
is
are systematically treated and the

evident.
reason
in
self-
We
know
many
instances
which
amateurs on the impulse of the moment lay out

orchards without taking into consideration the various difficulties in the way of gardening. Some select a site in the most inconvenient
locality
where ao
the
will
irrigation
is
possible, or
at least with
means he has
go
to
at
his
disposal.
While others
be
in
in search of a plot of land for a
so great a distance that he will not

tion
in
garden at a posito
supervise
it
even
once
left
a fortnight.
the
There are many
gardens
entirely
mercy
of the
malts,
who would
invariably loiter
CAUSES OF FAILURE.
85
without taking the least care for the garden for which they are paid.
As a matter
of
course,
all
orchards should be
properly supervised, and
Manuring,
watering,
works timely done. weeding, ploughing and
pruning are also of great importance, and should be performed exactly when they are required to
be done.
other,
little
The season and operations help each

of
the one without the other will be
very
or no avail.
Though we may do without manuring, watering, or pruning,
yet weeding and
ploughing are
indispensibly necessary.
The
entire surface of the
orchard should be clear of weeds, and the soil a neglect of these is sure to deoften stirred
;
When they have trees themselves. generate once run wild, it would be too late then to adopt means for reinstating them. In gardening, no work
the
should be
for,
left in arrears.
The more
it
is
cared
Beware
the more are our efforts turned to good account. of the mattes who are generally the
of pests or
most mischievous
garden.
enemies
of
an Indian
They
not only
neglect
their duties but
would not even scruple to rob and sell the choicest grafts, replacing them by any ordinary seedling or graft of mango of course, that may be available.
The
fruit
they will eat, carry
it
home, and
it
sell
it
mercilessly, keeping the surplus, as
were, for their
masters.
The amateur who cannot devote some

works
of
time in supervising the
his
garden per-
86
sonally should not undertake
them
at
all,
and should
would be nothing but wilful and still persist, premeditated squandering of money and thus sethe
it
ting a discouraging example to others.
HARVEST.
As
not
the period of ripening of the fruits
all
is
not the
it
same everywhere and with

possible
to
In
the varieties,
is
determine
general,
any fixed time
for
harvesting.
the rains,
commencing from
mangoes ripen during July, and lasting up to
the end of October.

fruiting
all
nacular
Calcutta,
Again, there are varieties the year round and are called in verIn the Flower Shows at Baromasia.
ripe
mangoes though
forced, are exhi-
that
bited every year in February, and we have known they are sent down from Guzrat and other
places in the
Bombay
form the centre of attraction
Presidency. They generally in the fruit section of
the exhibition, but they are invariably be most acid in taste and fibrous in the
found to
extreme.
The only reason

by the spectators
season when the
into blossoms.
for their being so

is
much admired
come
their
being grown out of
mango
in
trees in Bengal only
The
or
in
qualities
taste
and flavour
greatly
early
depend on
their
the time
of
harvesting.
fruits
Too
ereen condition the
must not br
HARVEST.
collected, as
87
we
to
often see
not
difficult
done by many. It is distinguish a ripe fruit from a

or unripe one.
it
green or
immature
Whatever
change in colour when they arrive at such a ripe, stage, they^jshould be harvested anjâkejiJixtQâ
may when
the variety be,
must
and
roomwhich should bedark 1 butno^_damp.

exposure has the
The
J^Jight after they have been harvested tendencôrpro3u^hig ,jtoughness^liullfa fruits, losing at the same time much of thg4uice contained therein The sap or juice, when the
truitsare on the tree, remains
utilized
its
active
and
is
by the
of
fruits in
making up the
development.
effects
As
fruits
last stage of are liable to the bane-
ful
careful in
dampness, one must be particularly keeping them in a dark but well-ventibegin to ripen, they should be indiviby means of a netted-bag attached
lated room.
As
fruits
dually collected
to a long pole. This prevents the fruits from falling
on the ground deteriorates the quality of the fruit. This is a very simple and inexpensive contrivance for collecting fruits in
upon the ground.
fall
India
and
have no hesitation
in
recommending
this rural
apparatus for the purpose.
The
rayyats
after-
generally collect fruits
from the trees in the
noon, and they require two things for the purpose, namely one pole as described above, and a basket
or a gunny-bag to keep them
in. Before plucking, the fruits they inspect individually and break only
88
those that appear to have ripened. This is best donr by holding the lower end of the pole by hand, each
mango being
or
is
inspected, the fruit that has
ripened
carefully
expected to ripen in a day or

in
two
is
secured
the
netted-bag
on
in.
the
pole,
which
being
pulled, the fruit falls
He now
proceeds
until
to a second, then to the third
and so on
the
bag
is filled
up.
It is
then brought clown
and the
fruits
are taken
out
and put
into the basket or

;
gunny-bag that hangs

escape from falling
at his back:
thus
the fruits
upon
the
hard
surface
of
ground. As they are much injured by such fall, it is not at all advisable to collect them by shaking the branches or shoots.
fresh from trees are not so palatable those properly cured or treated in 'jag' as it is called, for it has often been observed that fresh
Fruits
as
fruits,
neither suitable
having the sap yet flowing in them, are to taste nor agreeable to the sto-
after they
mach, but become most delicious and pleasant have undergone careful curing. Though
the process of curing is very simple yet it requires some attention and care, without which well ripened and well seasoned fruits can hardly be obtained.
as
For curing purposes, select such a room or shade has access to venis free from dampness and
In case the house appears to
tilation.
should be
planked
at least
two
feet
be damp, it above ground

;
or a platform
made
of
bamboo
or such materials
on su h platform or on a dry floor spread out the
HARVEST.
leaves of Shcorfr (Trophis asperd) (x
teria long/folia) or
layers,
fty
Dcbdaru
(Gitti-
lichi, and arrange the fruits in never placing one above the other or touch-
Then, examine the collection ing one another. twice or thrice every day so that they may not be In order to ascertain their perfection, over-ripe,
they must not be pressed hard by the fingers, for this is a practice of a very rude character and should
a unprofessional sensible man will hardly spoil his fruit by such an awkward practice in examining them. As said before
only
be
continued by
the
each
each
fruit
should be examined and handled, so that
may have
When
the chance of being turned over. allowed to remain as they have been kept,
they are most likely to rot at the loWersid.e, or ripen imperfectly the reason, which is not far to seek, is
;
that the entire juice, accumulating at the bottom
is
not
within
Again, in
tion, a
reach of the other parts of the fruit. order to obtain fruits ripened to perfec-
shade should be secured.
necessary amount of light and heat in the The amateur should
or rotten
take heed in removing immediately any damaged fruit that might happen to be in th*j
collection
for
this
contagion
lot,
is
likely to
spread
among
others of the
spoiling them
to
his utter
disappointment. In the process of curing, each fruit is to be the object of special care and attention,
which
its
if
properly bestowed,
are
amply
re-
paid by
flavorous juice and agreeable substance
at the very smell of
which the mouth waters.
QO
In
this
connection,
it
will not
be out of place
here to give a short direction as to the best manner of curing mangoes. As in the animal, so in the vegetable kingdom, there is heat in every livIt is ing object, and fruits are not an exception. therefore good to allow the fruits, as soon as they
are gathered
least
an
a good soaking in cold water for at hour, so that the heat within them, may
be absorbed by the surrounding water. This not only makes them cool but renders them agreeable to the stomach also. After washing and cleansing
them well
in
water, wipe
soft
away
the moisture by
means
of
and fresh cloth and spread out
as directed.
For the spoon or table uses, fibreless mangoes

arc-
best preferred, while those

juice,
who
are
partial
to
Mick the
like
fruits
with fibres which are

current in the
replete \\ith the juice, bringing in a
mouth
of the eater.
Though
in
the
latter are consi-
dered most repugnant to the taste of a polished
and refined
MI far as the
eater,
reality,
they
are superior,
the
quantity of the juice is concerned, to The fibreless fruits of our civilized days*
Marchioness of Dufterin has very graphically described the Indian system of Mango-eating,* and
.
*\<-
but burst into laughter, when going through that portion of her interesting work.
could
not
Our
Ui
I
Viceregal
Life
in
India,
t>>
'Marchioness
of
rrm
.uul
Ava.
MARKET.
mango has been, of late years, steadily increasing among all classes of the people. The increase in the demand is due to two causes
for
firstly,
ists,
THE demand
the decline in the
class
of
mango-orchard-
given up the occupation and, as a consequence, the quantity of the outturn from want of proper care has fallen short considerably
;
who have mostly
sufficient for
secondly, the existing orchards are not meeting the demand of the constant
Hence it follows that the increasing population. annual yield cannot keep pace with the needs of the population. However, to keep the market
well supplied
with
mango
of
of
there should be an exfruit,
tensive cultivation
in
It
the
which stands
first
the
estimation
the people of this country.
not
only forms
a delicious food of the opulent
and grandees,
the
mofussil,
but, those,
who have
ever lived in
must
have
studied the
wretched
condition of the
poor rayyats,
greater part of the season, live almost
who, during the on the mango.

well
live
to-
Moreover,
during
scarcity
they can
for
upon them
gether with
and them alone,
some time
their large number of dependants. But the mangoes which they use are generally of inferior quality. The middle class of people
consume a reasonable portion of it, whereas big and wealthy classes and the Europeans usr
also
only the selected
and choice kinds,
It is
not un-
92
frontf
frequently seen that the Fuzli sells at

to Rs. 25 per 100,
Ks. \2
the Bombay) the

to
while the Langra, the Maldali, Choonakhali, are old from Rs. 4
kinds
is
per 106, and worst and insignificant, from 12 ans. to Rs. 1/8 per 100. There no fixed price for any particular kind of mangoes, Rs.
12
sell
it is
for
subject to
fluctuations
according to the
quantity of supply in the market.

of profit, it is a wise plan to such varieties as come late into bearing, plant they fetch much more than the early kinds
;
For purposes
keeping up during the whole season from the beginning to th<* end, all the three groups must have reasonable area
of
hut for the
of
a succession of fruits
land,
so that
the market
may have
constant
In supply from the orchard without Cessation. and markets of our th months June, July, August,
and road-sides are crowded with mango-dealers

heaping up tens of thousand
full
of
mangoes
in their
display.
The
chief
mango markets
This
of Calcutta
are Barrabazar and
the
river-side, besides
effluk of
other markets in
the city.
many mango
from
all
directions of the country presents a grand
exhibition of
mangoes
in
for
some time
in Calcutta.
In this season hawkers,
the hawkers of miscellawill sell
mangoes are so number and in that one large only, they would see in every street a hundred mango-hawkers
within a short time passing through with a basket
of
neous articles
other seasons,
mango over
theif
respective heads,
In
the
MARKET.
93
morning, scores of boats loaded with mangoes, border the riverside, and the wholesale-dealers
thronging there for settling the price or in taking
delivery of their merchandise,
carts
the mangoes.
The
over-loaded with them, passing through the streets from one market to another or to some town
or village market in the interior of a district.
waggons are not exempted, for the make panies special arrangements for carrying them
railway
The Com-
from
remote
districts
to
of
Calcutta.
In
Rajhat,
mango, where in like manner mangoes come from the most interior
which also forms a centre
parts
of the district.
are also noted for merit.
wangolah
a
in
the
The mangoes of this place In Khagra and BhagaMurshidabad district mango

;
marts are also held during the season
moreover
Maldah, Murshidabad, and centres of mango for the other Durbhangha
good many
dealers visit
purpose of making large purchases of mango which they invariably send down for the supply of
sole
the Calcutta market.
Though no statistics could now be obtained mango trade, yet at a rough estimate, one would find that from 10 to 20 lacs of Rupees are
of the
annually
of
laid
out
lac,
if
I
in
India,
Murshidabad
alone
contributing a
July last
not more.
About the middle

I
when
visited
Durbhangha
had the
occasion to witness what a large quantity of mangoes are daily despatched from the town of Durbhangha
alone.
The
platform
of the
railway station be-
94
to the out-going baskets filled parcels large by hundreds with mangoes awaiting the arrival of the train. Roughly speaking, we think, Durbhanga with its neighbour-
comes almost impassable owing
ing villages annually exports mangoes worth 20 to 30 thousand rupees. Considering the vast
amount of business that
is
transacted with mangoes,
our attention ought to be directed in its further development. As a practical means for the furtherance of this
object,
it
occurs
to
me
that
the shape of "limited systematic organizations companies" might be started to carry on a trade
in
in the remotest parts of the country, as
also with
Europe, where each mango of intrinsic merit sells from 6 to I2d. Such companies, as I believe, are
most
likely
to
flourish
in a short time, leaving a
reasonable margin for damages and freight.

fore setting about recklessly in the affair
scale,
I
Be-
on a large
would suggest that an experimental begining might be made. The only difficulty that lies
in the
way
of its success is the arrival of the fruits
at their destination
without being perished or
damaged
numbers, and as a precautionary measure, the greatest care should be taken in

in large
packing them. For the present, some enterprising gentlemen would do well to form themselves into
a body with a small capital to start with, on a
very small scale, enlarging it gradually as success is achieved in their safe arrival and the market
is
established there.
In the
meantime, orchards
MARKET-
95
may be formed in different parts of the country, especially in Bombay presidency, where such trees
should be planted the fruits of which are known to be able to stand the long and precarious journey
across the Atlantic.
The export of Indian fruits to Europe is not an impossibility when it has been observed that Australia sends out her fruits annually to India
with so
much
success.
Whatever might be the
expenses of cultivation, freight,
am
they a with reasonable margin In together fcjr profit. the shops of England each mango scjjls at 43. as
Dr. Bonavia says in his article on "Oranges and Lemons of India."* A few years hence the learned
confident,
and other charges, I would be amply recovered
Doctor directed
of
his
attention
trade,
to
the
important
mango opened commuquestion with the nications Government of the N. W. P.,

and
requesting them to take up such measures as were
feasible in giving a stimulus to the cause, but unfor-
tunately the latter declined to interfere with it on the ground that the people were already taking an
active interest in the matter, f and, as a consequence,
his valuable
it
suggestions fell to the ground. Were not India, the suggestion would certainly have
taken a definite and practical shape in the way of a regular mango-trade by this time at the hands
* Journal of the Agri- Horticultural Society of India, Vol. VIII., part II.
f Journal
of the Society of Arts,
July, 1888.
96
I
of private enterprisers.
have just clearly shown
the difficulties
that stand in the
way
of the propos-
ed trade and also the measures to surmount them.

I
will
this particular
tal
up branch of business as an experimenspeculation, the success of which will no doubt

of a
now urge upon my countrymen
to take
open up the gates
new
industry.
Besides foreign trade, what other benefits might be achieved by such an organization ? The internal
trade will improve, the method of 'cultivation will be
developed, and
article
many
novelties appear.
Unless any
comes under the category of business, it is almost supeiwjlous to expect any improvement in it, and so long as it remains exclusively in the hands of
the illiterate rayats, who are not inclined to do anything opposed to the systems followed by their predecessors,
it is
not at
all
possible that any material

in
advantage would accrue, even

say.
a century
may
hard times of the present day, when is so dear, labour so expensive, no article every stone should be left unturned in search of new
In
the
industries,
no matter
if
failure
even ensues.
dull
;
These
of
our hardly is therefore it famished or half-starved rayats our educated that countrymen should necessary
ideas can
enter the
heads
take these matters into their serious consideration.
Why
grafts of
is
a good
many
are
choice varieties of fruits and
mangoes
not available in the market
not far to seek. Excepting a few kinds of choice ones, the public have not the advantage of other
PACKING.
varieties that
97
abound
in
the orchards in every part

of
of
the country.
The popular tendency
the
people of keeping the choice kinds strictly reserved for their own, is a great obstacle for the
distribution of choice
and rare kinds.
have also
heard
at
Murshedabad
former days, an owner of a

scarcely part
many say that in the mango orchard would with a single fruit, when giving to any
by means
of
!
outsider, without destroying the stone
a hot
iron rod
PACKING,
IN order to carry on a trade with other countries the primitive system of packing successfully, should be abandoned. It is neither wonderful nor
impracticable to send out our surplus mangoes to other countries with as much success as the
Australians export their fruits to India or Europe, or the Peshwaris bring in fresh fruits, such as grape and strawberry to Calcutta every year during the
cold season, and which form the rich dish of the
Europeans and natives

standing power
of
alike.
In order to test the
mango, the author tried several
methods of packing, and he is delighted to* be able to say that out of many, he succeeded in two in keeping them well for more than 15 days together,
and
in
The processes were
one instance, more than 20 days. as follow~
A TREATlSfc ON MANGO.
In every case, first pick out such fruits (a) as have not been injured in the least, and examine
each fruit individually. Thft heaping them up for a few hours to sweat, spread 6ut for an hour* so
that
the heat within
nmy
subside by the time.
After which wishing in clfean water, wipe them by means of a fresh cloth and allow them to
remain in the house for
sortie tihie, in
order that
thfey .may dry* Spread out paper in & tin box and give a layer of sawdust, 6ver whidi place
Now
the fruits one by one until a layer is complete, when give another layer of sawdust and so on
until the
box
must be of
J>ohe
this,
up to the rim* The last layer sawdust and at least 3 inches thick.
is filled lid air-tight,
cover up the
and keep
it
in a dry but cool place,
(b)
Following the preliminary process up to
drying the washed
up each fruit bjr papers and arrange them
mangoes in the air, entirely wrap me#ns of newspapers a* printed

in
a tin case previously
matted with dry hay by alternate layers, finishing the 'top withathtek Uyer of that material otrfjr,
As soon
;and put
us
it
it is
done, seal the tin case
in
a wooden case, so that
H may
disturbed during handling or transit. Of tta-ie t^ro processes, the latter gave most successful
Ih the former case,
it
was detected
that
was not asd^y as wks perhaps^ for

fruits
it
that
ought to fiavt been, a^d it reason thfet tothe of tkt
werr
found rotten, but "when the rest were-
USfS
Uken away and
kept again similarly, they agaia about a week.
DIFFERENT USES OF THE FRUIT.

BESIDES their use as
ployed in very
ripe-fruits,
mangos
are em-
many
other ways*
In their green
condition, they are used by the natives in meals. Th$ fruits are cut into pieces and boiled in water,
snroe spices being given* to
it,
and taken with
The watery juice thus prepared, forms relish. a soothing drink during the hot months of April,
May, and June. It is also said, it keeps the bocty cool, and counteracts the scorching heat of the sun. In the United-Provinces where heat in thftt
season
is
severe, pulp of boiled
mango rubbed
Oft
the skin, effects

called Loo.
much
in
resisting the fiery blasts
An
agreeable syrup
if
also
boiled pulp intermixed with
refined sugar
prepared with the and a
nominal quantity of salt* Little rosewater, a piece of jcc? and a little of heart* will add to the excellence of the consistency.
Roasted
fruits
by physicians as being an effective

are
into pieces
are considered and prescribed remedy in heat
made from green mangoes

mustard
?.
and
sun-dried, to which
* Water
distilled
from th
flower of
Ki&
_
oil,
(
cut
Pandanm
ordoraiissimus).
100
chillis
and salt are added, and kept up for a month or so, so as to allow them to absorb the
ingredient as
much
is
as possible.
They are used
afterwards as such or added to the curries.
The
sweet acid taste
really refreshing.
Another preparation
ingredients
of
mango with
various
called consistency kasundi. It is much liked by the people. Many other kinds of tarts jellies, chutnees and
forms
thick
pickles are
to Europe every year. from prepared ripe mangoes squeezed, and the thick consistency is made free from fibers
made and exported
yam
is
and impurities that might happen to be in it, by seiving it through a fine cloth and laid out in the sun
on tattees or
plates.
When
sizes
the water dries
off, it is
cut into reasonable

for sale.
and brought to market

these
'breads'
if
The
thickness of
call so, varies from very fine to about quarter an inch, according to the pleasure erf the makers, and this is done by giving repeated layers over them, when they have been partially dried. It
may
of
is
one
of the high attainments of
Hindu lady
to
make
different preparations
an accomplished from
mangoes
to perfection, as well as other domestic
works, such as needlework of the old days, cooking &c, and it is really a satisfaction that almost
all
the Hindu
homes are proud
of having such
illustrious
ladies.
The
girls
are also taught in
these things until they leave their father's

after marriage.
home
A LIST OF MURSHEDABAD MANGOES*

In
IOI
times of scarcity, mango fotms a healthfal food to the people, though for a short time. The
kernels of the fruits are boiled and eaten,* also
chapatis or breads by the poor peeple during famines. In Durbhungha, I have seen this year the memorable year of great and widespread
into
made
famine,streets
'or
boys,
girls,
and
adults
traversing
their
the
and markets with baskets on

to
heads
the
waistes
gather seeds of mangoes
for
purpose.
The
extract of the bark of the tree in
its vari-
ous forms, is a valuable remedy for dysentry and diarrhoea and is considered antiscorbutic.!
From
the
bark and leaves a yellow dye

is
fs
obtained which
not in
much
request.
A LIST OF MURSHEDABAD MANGOES.

Ali Buksh
of
a rare mango named after the owner the garden in which it grew, but that
;
;
garden is now attached to the estate of H. H. the Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad.

Fruit
round
in
;
sub-acid
weighs from half to a pound taste, and very favourite to the

;
Nawabs
per 100.
Atai\
July and August, and
an intermediate variety $ ripens in sells from Rs. 5 to 10

flesh
a rare kind
very sweet and^tender.
* Roxburgh's Flora Indica. f Watt's Dictionary of the Economic Proauc&s
oi
JO?
;
A TREATISE ON MANGO*
the
only
.tree is in
the .cojjectiou of one
Sitla Bibee of
is
Ichcfyagunge, Murshjedaba4,
and
now owped by Nawab

at Rs.
1
Khafcr Mirza Bahadur
alia$ Byîdhun Sahib.
Fruit exceedingly
good
6 per
;
100.
;
afeda
skin whitish green, flesh pink

;
medium sued
f $ukker\
stance pink
like
;
a delicious variety.
skin of light
magenta colour
;
sub*
sweet, juicy and fibreless
aroma
sandalwood.
j
Chtirki-champa
fibrous
;
but juicy
smells like
cfampe
flower
Rai S. C. Nahar
very rare (in the collection of Bahadur of Azimgunge).

;
tyo-anti or the two-seeded
a peculiar variety each fruit having two stones, one as usual and the other in the so called tumor not of any
,
;
special merit (in the collection of
Rai
S. C.
Nahar Bahadur).
Qqufbhtg
parentage not traceablet

is
The
ori-
ginal tree
in
the garden of Sidi Darab Ali

Fruits
cylindrical,
;
Khan, Bahadur.
exceeding 8
delicious
-,
scarcely
02. in
weight
yellowish, and very
ripens in August, tp Rs. 10 per 100.

;
and
sells at Rs.
has several varieties closely allied to on? another ; subst^nc^ whitish, an<} fibrous,
best of the Doodias
but ^cry sweet and replete with jufce. The is in the garden of Miah
Ambar, which
is
now owned by H. H. The

;
Prince (Majla Sahfb)
an ârly
variety.

Gul-sukri jwcoM-shaped
;
skin
the,
apple-coloured
pulp v$ry aweet, having

fibjreleas
;
fragrance of rose
stqne very thin.
K^kifoor j'the pride of Murshedabad. It found its way into the garden of H.H. Nawab Hossein
Ali Mirza Bahadur, the
is aji
Second Prince.
viz.
There
that on
anecdote in this connection
one occasion, a Unani physician, Hakim
Aga
Muhamed, had sent a present of some choice mangoes to the Prince, who, after using them,
found one to be the best in the
Prince,
tester in
lot
The
who
is
known
to be the
first
mango-
Murshedabad, offered Rs, 2000 for the parent tree, since then it has been in his possession. By some it is maintained that
Kohitoor
sport from K&l&pdhdr, but there is a great departure between the two. It is oval in shape and weighs sometimes 18 or 20 oz.
is
the indigenous mangoes of Mjurshedabad, there are about 25 varieties of the first class,
all
Of
and
of these, Kohitoor ranks the foremost place
artd is
very rare.
Kalap&h&r\ how and by mango was introduced

parent tree
of
It
is
whom
is
this splendid not known. The
the late
is
Sidi
yet to be found in the garden Darab Ali Khan Bahadur,
supposed to be a variety from Mirzapasand. There is a Kdldpdh&r in tte Maldah group which greatly differs fôra the Kala*
fdfidr of
Murshedabad, the leaves of
which
A TREATISE ON MANGO/
are narrow and shining
;
stems blackish*
ruit
weighs nearly a pound skin very thin, Substance very sweet, juicy and fibreless. Stone,
;
thin
fruit
and
is
;
No change of colour on the even when the fruit is fully vjsible

small*
ripe
flavour exquisitely delicious.

;
'Kharmuza
of a
there are
variety in
first
very few trees of this Murshedabad. It has the merits
rate
mango
moreover
it
is
agree-
ably flavoured like musk-meloij.

tree
is
The
;
original
its crop Chunakhali (Murshedabad) is sold annually from Rs. 250 to 300, and in the market it sells at Rs. 5 per 100. Fruit
at
weighs 12 oz. each.

Khysapath*) originally came from Maldah, but has become so much acclimatised and changed in the soil and climate of Murshedabad that it
may be now
fairly
;
called
a distinct variety
shape long and nosy well grown fruit weighs a pound each bears much similarity to the
;
Amritbhog)
suitable
for
and keeps a
long time,
hence
;
transport to distant countries
ripens
in July.
;
Khanam-pasand
the time of
its
introduction
is
strictly confined in Fouzbag, a garden attached to the Nizamat State.
not traceable;
WiyVrfi;
swêt and juicy but fibrous j keeps a time and suitable for transport to distant Jong jpour tries "(in tbe collection of Rai S. C, Nahar

Misrikund\
to
it
;
105
the
author
is
flat
shape oval
sweet
and
exceedingly partial stone very thin $

;
fibreless,
and most delicious;

;
flovour
exquisitely agreeable
;
weighs 3 to 4 oz.
Nazuk-badan very delicate and can hardly stand much handling, hence it is named Nazuk-badan which means shy-faced so susceptible to the touch that it would not bear the least toss of
;
the
$ shape long 8 to 12 oz. from weighs
finger
colour
yellowish
Natsim-pasand'$ and straight

late
growth of the tree

$
is
upright
k was much
Jah,
favourite with the
Nawab Humayun
of Bengal,
at
one time Nawab-
Nazim
father of H. H. the present
Behar and Orissa, the grandNawab Bahadur of
Murshedabad.
It
makes excellent polao.

to oz.
;
Well
grown
fruit 8 to
;
shape round, colour
yellowish
ripens between June and July. It is said that in former days, there used to be held
private
mango competitions
where
it
in
the
Nawab
Durbar,
place.
always held the foremost

others
Amongst
a
there are two well
grown and
Phaykalbayan
about 8 oz
:
fruitful trees of this in

;
Raesbagh.
variety ; weighs colour allied to vermUliOn red.

;
delicious
fruit large, skin green Pirgachta sweet weighs about 32 oz.

;
fibreless
and
Raja-pasand
thin;
fruits very large substance pink red; a

\
$
;
"stone
'er
106
kind.
(In
the
collection
Rai
& C
Nahar
Bahadur).
Sarda
and
small fruited but profuse bearer

flesh yellowish
;
skin
;
sweet, juicy and cool
a
is
very desirable variety indeed.

in the collection of
The only
tree
Raja Ranjit Sing Bahadur
of Nashipur, Murshedabad.
$4rvati\
large, juicy
nice},
and
fibreless
flavour ex-
ceedingly
and cooling
in the
to the taste.
The
parent tree
is still
garden of Lohigunge
Mohanta.
Talabt
;
one of the
yellow
;
late var^ties
skin yellow,
flesh rich
sweet
and juicy
,
and
very suitable dessert for the table

aromatic flavour.
Original tree
of peculiar
is
owned by
Nawab
Xota
;
Jain-ud-din
Khan
of
Murshedabad.
it,
there are two kinds of
the difference
between the two being in size, one is large and the other small ; the best of the kinds is in
Harigungebagh, formerly belonged to Her Highness Nawab Raesunnisa Begum Sahiba. Size
long
;
weighs about 16 oz
of
light
;
sulphur
;
colour
when
;
ripens
skin very thin
fibreless
stone small
In
very
early, ripening in Jufce.
orderthat the amateur
may have an
:.*->
idea of
the varieties
Murshedabad
which
is
alone possesses
an
exhaustive
list
given below
A LIST OP MURSHEDABAO MANGOES.
107
io8
91 Saptalu. 92 Shower's Bombay.
77 Rani-pasand. 78 Rahupeti.
79 80 81 82
83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
Ramtanu-khasa. Raes-pasand (Raesbagh), Ratan-kewa, Ramgati-khasa.
93 Shah-dowla. 94 Sultan-pasand.
95 Shahtut.
96 Swasia.
97 Soraiya.
T
98 Tia kata. 99 Tota-mukhL 100 Tund-khasa. 101 Turbuza. 102 Taru-pasand.
*
Sravama.
Sipia. Siradar.
Saga. Sadek-pasand.
Sinduria.
Sarenga. Subja.
TJ
103
Umda-khasa.
Mr. Soban
AH
Khan, a Zaminder of Hajiput
has been pleased to furnish

list
me
with the following
of
mangoes
which are indigenous to that
district.
Antockat
a very large variety, sometimes grows as big as 32 oz ; ripens in July. Shape round, skin thin, flesh yellowish, and stone small ;
;
Hardwan Choubay of a late variety Bhadaya Munshiwala

introduced by
;
Hajipur.
lasting
till
the middle of October ; fruit round

flesh whitish
skin thick,
;
and sweet
stone small
weighs
12 oz.
Dadh mungoo
ahd }iScy
H-'
about
i2oz. in weight
ripens
in July$ skin
;
"
yellow, flesh
prolific,
white, very sweet
very
bearing in bunches.
+$al
:
Sing y-fc late variety, giving fruits till the ddle of Ôctober, though they are not larger
A LIST OF HAJIPUR MANGOES.

than 8 oz. in weight
in
;
log
shape long, skin thin ; other respects do not differ much from a
Sukul-ka-Bhadutya.
Golak'khask
the
thin,
;
a very delicious variety giving out

rose
;
fragrance of
size elongated,
skin
All
Khan
yellow. of Durbhungha.
;
Named by Moulvie Sadik
Kdldpdhdr
shape cylindrical; flesh pale yellow;

little
sweet but with
sourness
stone
small
ripens about the end of August; weighs 32 oz.
Kathambi Sobhan
a second early variety, ripening in July; skin entirely red $ flesh hard, and red ; stone small $ very sweet
;
AH Khan
and most
delicious
the famous
weighs 24 oz; named after mango amateur Mr. Sobhan Ali

;
Khan Sahib
Kartika
of Hajipur.
Jaffer
Shah
long
but
flat
skin
thin; flesh
flavour;
red; very juicy and

late
of agreeable
in
variety
after
October.
Named
coming into season Mir Jaffer Shah
of
Laldarma
Badhanpur, Muzaffurpur; weighs 24 oz. 24 oz. in weight an early variety ;

;
skin red
substance extremely sweet

;
flavour
highly agreeable
originally
came from Dur,

(
r
bhunga.
Langra
means lame or crooked

first
a yfy ^f%'#'
variety and one of the
rat$
green, and thin
very sweet,
good
flavour.
Stone small,
Named /
10
A TREATfSE ON MANGO.
(For further parti-
the parent tree is crooked.* culars see page 41).

Lat-kampi",
ripens in July
;
;
and
flesh yellow
;
weighs 8 oz. skin very sweet, and a desirable

;
variety
stone small.
Maharaji-ladua > about 24 oz. in weight, shape round skin yellow, flesh white, very sweet and It is said to have been named by H. H, juicy.
;
The Maharaja
Maharaj-pasand
j
of
Durbhunga.
ripens
in 'July
;
weighs 4
oz.
shape round, colour pink ; substance light very rich in flavour like yellow, stone small camphor. Being very favourite to him, has
;
been probably named

of
after H.
H. The Maharaja
very sweet
Madkupia
Mithua
and
;
Durbhunga. form cylindrical

;
flesh
stone small
>
named by
variety
;
Panditji of Hajipur.
fruit
;
early
of
;
small
very sweet
excellent
flavour
stone small
very
prolific
named by Reza Mirza Hossein Khan,

shape elongated, colour of the
of Dandreanagar, Hajipur.
Mahbub Kelwa;
skin partly red and partly yellow ; juicy and sweet with very little of sourness very delicious; Vrftighs about 802,5 an early variety;
;
* Babu Hari
('the original
Mohun
tree,
Ba*merji of
Durbhunga remarks
this
tree.
which
is
famous by
there
a very old and majestic

Trie
name still The fruits of
Snch
<jr.
fyi
of Which sell separately for hundreds of rupees
DurbhuhghaMalda is generally known Calcutta by the name of Langra, but it is not "her an intermixture of both.'
1
A LIST OF HAJtPUR MANGOES.
Ill
Rahim-pa sand ;
Buksh Khan
elongated in shape; skin thin;

;
very sweet and juicy

variety; weighs 8 oz.
named
after
;
Rahim
of Modhaul, Hajipur
an early
Rarhi\
long and
flat
;
flesh
pale
till
;
white*
and
stone
.sweet; weighs 8oz.
available
September.
juicy
;
Skah Joginag
small.
long but crooked
Srtdalian;
orange
colour of the skin and pulp light extremely sweet, and of a very agreeflat;
able flavour; ripens in July; introduced by Shaik Mukhdum Buksh of Jarhnah ; weighs 8oz. a
;
desirable variety.
Sinduria
Bhogwan Singh /colour
of the skin
partly yellow; very sweet and juicy; stone small; reamed after its rich red colour and its intro-
ducer Bhogwan Singh of Deghi, Hajipur; about

1
6.
oz. in
weight.
;
Sukul-ka-Bhaduiya
thick
{
flesh
of orange
comparatively long ; skin colour fibrous but

;
replete with fine sweet juice; stone small; a late variety, ripening weighs about 16 oz.
;
September October* Sokhta long and slender

in
;
flesh red, stiff

t
an
early variety, of ordinary size
introduce^
Shaik Ashgar
AH
of Hajipur.
JAYNAGAR* MANGOES.
My
friend
Babu Raman Chundra Dutt, a Graduof Mazilpur, within the municipal
ate of the Saidapet Agricultural College, Madras,
and an inhabitant
area of Jaynagar, 24 Pergunnas, has favoured me with the following list of the mangoes of that place.
Dhumo
very large and round j moderately sweet. Dhurrumpur, a village in the 24 Pergunnas, is
j
the place of
its origin,
hence
jt
was so named*
Gopal-dhoba
in
>
Gopal was a dhobi or washerman
BaruSpur Sub-Division, 24Pergunnas, in whose house it first occured, thus it was so
green even when ripe j size oval \ very sweet, and one of the best. It bears so much similarity to the Fuzli that the former is
named.
It is
supposed by many to be a sport from the

latter.
Kodalay
named
after its original place Kodalay,

in
a village close to Harinavi,

Division.
Baruipur Sub-
Nim-Chowdhury ;
in the
one of the best, occurred
first
house of one Ntmai Chowdhry in Maida, 'Mage of about 15 miles south of Calcutta
;
val; free
from fibres; when ripe of visible on the green skin, Very

flavoured.
.within
$o miles south of
A LIST OF MADRAS MANGOES.

Paddojola
\
113
original place Poddojola, in Baruipur

$
Sub-Division
ripe
\
shape round
skin yellow
when
sweet and good.
MYSORE MANGOES.*
Amina
j
(in
the collection of Rai S. C.
Nahar
Bahadur
of
Azimgunge).
description not available.
size, flesh
Badami
Chitoor
;-
long
white,
desirable
variety.
Chitkaii Golkeri
yintmatt or Jini mavu Karikai
description not
available*
Manj
Peachkai
Sukkuri or Simavu
MADRAS MANGOES,
following list has been compiled exclufrom the collection of Rai S. C. Nahar sively
The
Bahadur of Azimgunge
Chitore')
probably the
;
same as
chittoor of Mysore.
D Up asand
Ithada
\
description not available,
medium
but not entirely

* Gaz&eer of
My
114
Gova
Hathuda
Malgova Office pasand Othada mavu
Peter
;
not description because available
perhaps have not yet

fruited there.
j
;
not a desirable kind.

profu-
not a good variety, but bears in

;
sion
a handsome-looking variety.
;
Pooto* ;-*-cone-shaped
skin
green,
and thick
>
flavour not agreeable.
Rapesberry
sized
medium tastes like ; raapsberry ; a tolerable mango. } Walaja-pasand ; description not available.
GOA MANGOES.*
Costa.
Dijoao.
Fernandina.
Fredrico.
Timer or Timerata.
BOMBAY MANGOES.
The following
list
has also
the collection
of
compiled Rai S. C. Nahar Bahadur
been
1,
almost round
ring
any descrip-
THE MANGOES OF MISCELLANEOUS PLACES.

Amirgola
;
115
of
of
ordinary
size,
round
one
the best,
Black Alphenso.
Cowasji Patel.
Himsagar
red
;
of
ordinary
cool.
sweet, and
5
size pulp crimson Free from fibres, and of

;
fine flavour
free-bearer and an early variety.
Long Majgaon
Peary
;
Bottle.
;
big
mango
;
light sulphur
yellow
green, sweet. moderately

;
skin
flesb
a delicious
variety;
more
juicy
than
the Alphonso.
Salem-pasand
moderate sized; a good variety.
THE MANGOES OF MISCELLANEOUS

PLACES.
Rai S. C. Nahar Bahadur,
furnished
has also kindly

of
me
with the
names
the
following
mangoes which he collected from different parts

of India for his
garden
at Jiagunge,
Murshedabad,
Seo-Hind or
colour
;
of j Gopal-larooa\ apph weighs more than two pounds. Sole

-"
round
generally at 12 per 100.
Sundali or Chandani\ and has the smell of

4 variety fibreless an* not very juic v
;
-of
ordinary
Il6
Gooria
/medium
sized
yellow, sweet, juicy, and
fibreless.
Malabar Bombay
first
rate variety
;
inches long, cylindrical in form

;
over 9 skin thick, but
sweet and juicy flesh of light sulphur colour. Jet Bombay, from Khusrubagh of Allahabad; one
of the earlist of the
Bombay
group.
merous
other
Besides the names given above there are nuvarieties available in the Calcutta and
markets
logues of omitted them from
and may be found in the CataI have therefore the Nurserymen.

this.
THF. END.
List of
Durbhunga Mangoes
SUPPLEMENTARY
LIST.
MALDA MANGOES*
Antrita-bhoq
")
Amrita Pal
Amrita-moiKta
>
almost similar to the Aflsrikund. Price varieb from Rs. 3

to 6 per 100.
Aswina
$ weighs from 2 to 2-poiinds-aiid-a-half substance sweet and good a late variety, ripening in October.
;
shape
like that of
the
;
Fnsli
to 50 per 100. bears twice in a year, the first crop Jiaromasia being harvested in June and the second in
;
From Rs 25
November.
Batasa
;
From Rs
and
flat
5 to 10
;
-round
bulk
8 oz
per 100. substance

;
sweet,
variety,
Havorous and
ripening
in
agreeable
an early
I
June.
From Re
to Rs. 2
per 100.
Belua
round
weighs from 8 to
12 oz
very
:
tasteful, and has the fragrance of \\\?Bael (/Egle
n-iarmelos) fruit.
An
2 to
early variety,
ripenm^
June.
From Rs
4 per 100.
Rhaduria
2
(long)
;
pounds
; very large, cylindrical ; weighs sweet, and full of substance but
without flavour
ripens in July- August.
From
Rs 5 to 10 per IOQ* fihaduria (round) large, round weighs about j pounds. Skin thick without flavour but
;
sweet, and
full
of
substance
ripens in July-
August.
From Rs
5 to 10 pe.r 100,
;
Bonkhaja
hi
from a round, nosy vermilion-coloured weight

;
;
pound to two of moderate

;
taste but of very
handsome appearance
ripen-
ing period, beginning of July.
From Rs
3 to 5
per Itrindaban?
i
oo.
oral
weighs 802; sweet,

:
delici-
ous and of good flavour
ripens in June.
From
Rs
Chakla
5 to 10 per 100.
;
round
weighs from
to
pounds
15
ripens in
July-August.
From Rs
the
to
25
per joo.
Champa-daghi
ones
;
little
better than
ordinary
100-.
ripen
;
in July.
From Rs 4
;
to 6 per
Chhutra
*-,'-
--Weighs
8 oz
an ordinary
variety.
&*
j to 5 per'' oo.
*"
'-ût
A -pound- ia
weight
sweet,
aid sweeter
per 100.
still
When
ripe.
From
fts
3 to 5
&&rika
our
large,
;
pounds
;
elongated weighs Sometimes 2 substance sweet, but wanting in flav*

;
Rs
Dilsaj
ripens in July-August 8 per loo. to 5

;
sells
at
frona
large,
oval
weight
varies
from
2 to
fibrous, and not entirely sweet, 3 pounds ; having the touch of little sourness rind thick bears profusely ripens in July-August From
j
;
Rs
5 to 10 per 100.
;
Durga-bhSg
taste,
in all respects,
size,
shape,
y
and
resembles the celebrated Fu*li except that the former is of vermilion colour whiU*
the
the
latter deep green .when ripe ; last* till middle of August, sometimes up to the middle of September and in that cast? would
fetch Rs 50 per loo, but ordinarily sells from Rs. 10 to 25 per 100* One of the rare kinds. Fusli ; first occurred in the houde of a Mahomedan
widow named
rai in
Fuzleh, in the village of Nimasa-
Maldah.
Largest
flat
;
mango
in cultivation
*
shape long but

four;
,-eighing
from
pound
'
r*
entirely free ;.-om fibres, delicious substance, but withou'
and
Golab-lash
larger
;
than
the
;
ordinary
in
ones
elongated
weighs about 8 oz
like
very delicious,
June.
and scents
rose
ripens
From
Rs
5 to 10 per 100.
;
Gopal-bhog
of very
small, oval
excellent flavour
weighs from and taste
8 to 10 ox
;
ripens in
3 to 5 per 100. Gopinath-bkog very similar to the above; ripens in June from Rs 2 to 4 per 100.
June,
From Rs
;
llsapcti
i
long and flat; weighs from 8 oz to pound fibreless an ordinary variety. From
j
;
;
Rs
2 to 4 per 100.
Jalibandha
curved
;
(large)
at
size
large,
the
lower
end
shape round weighs about
pound skin thick, but very refreshing, sweet and of good flavour. Intermediate variety
ripening in July-August. Rs 5 to 10 per 100. Does not last long on the tree.
Jalibandha (small) one shape long

^
;
smaller than the foregoing

;
better than
free
'*
weighs about 120/5 little an ordinary variety $ not entirely
from
fibres.
Rs
3 to 5 per 100.
Ripen*
Tuly- August.
fova! *; weighs
4
oz
\
^
;
ripens
in
July
of good from Rs 3
;
of ordinary merit ; ripens in July-August. Rs 10 to 20 per 100.
From
Kancha-mitia j in size and merit similar to the above ripens in June-July. From Rs 2 to 4
;
per
100.
\
;
weighs from 12 to 20 oz flesh Kurpura-dagi sweet $ of good flavour having slight fragrance from Rs 25 to 50 of camphor ; ripens in July
;
per 100.
Khysapati
(large)
;
round, weighs from 8 to 16 oz

$
rind thin
fibreless
ripens
between
June
and
July.
From Rs 4
;
to 6 per ioo
Khysapati
little
(small)
appears to be a variety of
all
the last named, being similar in

smaller.
;
respects but
Kua-paharia
size ordinary,
$
shape long
weighs
about 8 oz
skin
thin
ordinary sweet, and

;
without any flavour, but fibreless

July- August.
ripens in
Rs
3 to 8 per 100.
;
Kumrajali
2 to
class
very large and round

ripens
in July.
6 pounds; not entirely
fibreless.
weighs from A second

15 to
mango
;
From Rs
25 per loo.
Laljan-banka
elongated
pound
;
flesh coloured
weighs from 8 oz to a and handsome-*"

;
ripens in July, oval $ Madhua
From Pe
#
'
* ? f
oval Misri-bk6g weighs from 8 to 12 02 j very sweet and of good flavour ripens in July.
;
From Rs
Misrikund\
flavour
10 to 15 per 100.
round
weighs from 8 to 16
of excellent
oz.
good and
;
taste
ripens in
June
from Rs 3 to 5 per 100.

:
round and bulky j weighs from a Mohun-bhog pound to two entirely free from fibres when eaten fresh from tree, but sweet insipid and delicious when the skin becomes soft From Rs, 5 to 10 ripens in July-August.
;
per 100.
Nur-Fuzli
in almost every respect similar to the Fuzlt, and probably a variety of the same
;
from Rs 15 to 20 per 100. ripens Nakua-daghi ; weighs about a pound September. From Rs 10 to 20 per 100.
;
in
Phoolia
Polla
oval
weighs about a pound
ripens in oz
in
j
July- August.
;
From Rs
;
long and small

;
5 to 10 per 100. from 8 to 12

;
weight
yellow-coloured
fibreless
and sweet
i
ripens in June.
From
;
8 ans to
Re
per 100.
taste-
Raj-bk6g\
f *l
:
round
8 oz in weight:
good and
3 to 4 per 100. ripens very large, weighing from 2 tbs. to

in July.
From Rs.
*ndsome-looking,
and a
in size and shape similar to the above Sartt-bhSg but in taste superior, and very much allied to the Fuzli ripens in September-October. The
;
only tree
is in
the
compound
;
of the
Ramnagar
Cutchery
Sauna
ed
;
Chanchal-Raj. cochineal colourshape little elongated moderately sweet but very refreshing
;
of the
ripens in July- August.

100,
From Rs.
5 to 10 per
Sinduria
of its
Somewhat rare. means vermilion which is the colour substance even when unripe deep red
\ j
when
Sita-bh6g
ripe,
not of any merit but early, ripening

i
to Rs 2 per 100. similar to the above. long and flat From Rs. 10 to 20 per 100.
in June.
j
;
From Re
Subja
from 8 to 12
elongated, large and cylindrical weighs 02. Tasteful and flavourous; ripen;
ing about the end of July.
Tehfaringa cylindrical sweet even in its green

\ ;
5 to 10 per 100. weighs from 8 to 12 02

state,
Rs
and sweeter and
flavorous
when
From Rs
Tisiphool j to the Subja
5 to 8 per 100. in size, shape

;
well ripened j ripens in July. rare variety,
and bulk very similar

$
ordinary sw^ct
ripens
in July.
From Rs 4
to 8 per 100.

Treatise On Mango

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TIGHT BINDING BOOK

yj<OU 168186S >m gm

All Rights Reserved.

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.

years since the manuscripts of this

work were pre-

mango, the king of fruits

It is a great pity that should be so neglected

a proof of that apathy,

within the last four years,

not more than a dozen

and elaborate but the

and condense the subject-matter illustrated work on a subject like

would incur a heavy outlay

necessarily require a large circulation.

the circumstances set forth above,

obliged present form, and that even in

my promise. idea of this work

once to study the subject more closely

on the subject as much

mangoes, Murshedabad ought to be proud of so numerous

maintains a high and the people of

undergo a good deal the names and description

must confess that

the vast area which India occupies, and

be found quite inadequate. conclude this, I have to thank Babus

Lai Nahar, the

who have rendered

best thanks are

authors and editors of

k ind friend Tulsi

Das Mukerjea, M.A.,

for their valuable suggesI

Gollan, Superintendent, Botanical

dens, Saharanpur ; an d Mr. J. M. Gleeson, Superintendent, AgriHorticultural

Pundit Gokul Das of Jodhpur

28, Durjipara Street,

You have always taken

delight in and evinced

had the pleasure of

looking my pursuks, distance of hundreds of miles, and in

return of that sincere

LOVE, AFFECTION, AND ADMIRATION

them and even

give you some pleasure and best consofation. With this

praying for your

HEALTH> WEALTH, AND PROSPERITY,

BOTANY ... ... GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND SYNONYMS ...

SITUATION ... FOGS, DEWS, AND RAIN

PREPARATION FOR ORCHARD PLANTING ... ...

... PROPAGATION GENUINENESS OF GRAFTS

... ... ...

MANAGEMENT ... PESTS AND DISEASES

MYSORE MADRAS GOA BOMBAY MANGOES OF MISCELLANEOUS

that India has

since the ancient time, the

in possession stands first and

and substance, flavour and

widely cultivated almost

India, subject to the suitability of soil

present day hundreds of choice varieties in cultivation, but specialties occur in

having taken place owing nature of soil, and

Hanuman, the brave commander-in-chief .of Rarachundra, when fighting