MAYAGUEZ, a city on the west coast of Porto Rico. Its population by the census of 193o was 37,060, while the popula tion of the municipal district was 58,27o. The population of the city in Probably exceeded 40,000. MayagUez was founded in 1763, but was under the jurisdiction of San German. In 1836 its separation was authorized by royal decree from Madrid. It has a commodious harbour, and considerable shipping is done both of exports and imports. It is connected with other cities of the island by the American railroad, and by first class highways with motor-bus service. It has a street railway, water-works, electric light and power, a public library, fire department, public market and well-paved streets. The city has developed within recent years an important manufacturing and industrial interest in the production of clothing for the markets in the States, principally of cotton of the cheaper grades. The garments are produced in manufacturing establishments employing hundreds of workers and is also carried on by piece-work in the homes of the people. This development has given employment to thousands of workers, and the wages distributed have greatly increased the prosperity and growth of the city as a commercial centre.
Mayaguez has an excellent system of public schools and is the seat of the College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts of the University of Porto Rico. A Federal experiment station, under the U.S. department of agriculture, is situated here. The Reform School for Boys is also here.
The principal agricultural products of the district are sugar cane, coffee, tobacco, bananas and tropical fruits. (H. M. T.)
MAY APPLE (Podophyllum peltatum), a North American plant of the barberry family (Berberidaceae), called also Ameri can mandrake, native to low woods from Quebec to Manitoba and southward to Florida and Texas. It is an erect, perennial herb, 12 in. to 18 in. high, which springs from a horizontal root stock. The stem bears two large, shield-shaped, deeply lobed leaves, sometimes nearly a foot in diameter, in the axil between which rises in May a single stout-stalked, fragrant, white flower, about 2 in. broad, with six or more petals. The fruit, which ripens in July, is an oval, fleshy, yellow, edible berry about 2 in. long. In many districts the may apple is an abundant and conspicuous spring wild flower and has received numerous local names. Its poisonous rootstalk yields the powerful drug podophyllin (q.v.). MAYBOLE, burgh of barony in Ayrshire, Scotland, 9 m. S. of Ayr and 5o+ m. S.W. of Glasgow by L.M.S.R. Pop. (1931) 4,21o. It received a charter from Duncan II. in 1193, and was made a burgh of regality in 1516, but for generations it remained under the subjection of the Kennedys, afterwards earls of Cas sillis and marquesses of Ailsa, the most powerful family in Ayr shire. Maybole was once the capital of the district of Carrick, and the castle of the earls of Cassillis remains. The leading manu factures are of boots and shoes and agricultural implements.