The History of Cuba, vol. 5Johnson, Willis Fletcher
History
The History of Cuba, vol. 5
Johnson, Willis Fletcher
Cuba -- Economic conditions; Cuba -- History
The “Ameere” is similar to the Langra in color and quality, the fruit
weighing only about one pound.
The “Maller” is very closely allied to both the above mentioned types,
and bears a very excellent fruit with slightly different flavor and
odor.
The “Sundershaw” is probably the largest of all mangoes, the fruit
varying from two to four pounds in weight, fibreless, with small seed,
but with a flavor not very agreeable.
All of the above mentioned varieties of mangoes have been introduced
into Cuba at considerable expense and grafted on to seedling trees,
producing the finest mangoes in the world. Owing to their scarcity at
the present time in the western hemisphere, very remunerative prices are
secured even in the markets of Havana. Shipments consigned to the large
hotels and fancy fruit houses in the United States have brought of
course much higher prices.
In the hands of a culinary artist the mango has many possibilities, both
in the green and the ripe state. From it are made delicious jams,
jellies, pickles, marmalade, mango butter, etc. It is used also, as is
the peach, in making pies, fillings for short cake, salads, chutneys,
etc.
[Illustration: FRUIT VENDER, HAVANA]
This handsome tree, especially the variety known as the manga, with its
round symmetrical dome-like form, its rich glossy foliage of leaves that
are never shed and that remain green throughout the entire year, adds
not only to the beauty of the landscape, but furnishes most grateful
shade to all who may seek a rest along the roadside.
It is more than probable that the Government of Cuba will select the
manga as the natural shade tree for its public highways and automobile
drives. The experiment has been made in some places with excellent
success, and the delicious fruit yielded in such abundance would furnish
refreshing nourishment for the wayfarer during spring and early summer.
Choice varieties of the mango are comparatively unknown in northern
countries. Unfortunately the first samples that reached northern markets
came from Florida seedlings, and owing to their slightly resinous or
turpentine flavor, did not meet with a very ready acceptance. The rich,
delicious, fibreless pulp of the East Indian mangoes, if once known in
the larger cities of the North, would soon create a furore, that could
only be satisfied by large shipments, and that would command prices
higher than any other fruit grown.
The mango, too, as a shade tree, or producer of fruit, has one great
advantage over the orange and many other trees. It will thrive in the
soil of rocky hills and in the dry lands whose impervious sub-soil would
bar many other trees. The day is not far distant when the mango will be
not the most popular but also the most profitable fruit produced of any
tree in the West Indies.
CHAPTER XX
CITRUS FRUITS
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