Mar. 2—We understand that Mangoes are now obtainable at a dollar each from some fruit hawkers, although bargaining generally commences at a higher figure. The Mango tree (Mangifera indica) is decorative at any time, but when in fruit, it is quite attractive: the fruits hang on a long stem and the leaves change colour as they become older. It is said that the mango has been in cultivation for 4,000 years in southern Asia and that it is "the pride some people refer to its flavour as being a combination of apricot and pineapple, while others say that this comparison does not convey a true idea of the "delicious piquancy of a perfect Mango." It is possible that samples I have tasted were gathered from trees grown from seed, for these are admitted to be of poorer quality than fruit produced by grafted trees. The fruit is picked when it is. fully mature, but before it has begun to lose its firmness. The Mangosteen (Garcinia Man-produces what is probably the most delicious fruit grown anywhere in the world. Queen Victoria offered a prize of £10 for the first fruits to be delivered to her from India: but there is no record of the reward being claimed. We remember discussing the Mangosteen with a Covent Garden dealer some years ago and he was bemoaning the fact that it was practically impossible to introduce it on
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