The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-15
FARM AND GARDEN.

growth, propagation and product yield
ed, from which we make the following
extract:
The banana is not properly tree,
but plant OF leafy, succuient growth,
of the genus Musa. The stalk is
formed ofthe stems of the leaves in
concentric layers, reaching, with its
leaves, a height of fifteen or twenty
feet, and eight or ten inches in thick
ness, and contains no woody fibre.
From the centre comes the first bearing
stem, which turns and grows down
wards. The end has the appearance
of ear of corn, with purple shuck.
This unfolds one leaf at time, dis
playing two rows-eight to twelve of
tiny little fruit, with its delicate bios
SONS, until it attains length of two
or three feet, covered with fruit. The
leaves are marvel for size and appear
ance, sometimes reaching a length of
six feet and eighteen inches in width,
of glossy pea-green. The root is
perennial. Itis large and heshy, some
times of the size of half bushel meas
ure, from which put forth numerous
rootlets, half an inch in diameter.
From the main root are constantly
springing numerous suckers, which go
to form new plants. This being its
mode of propagation, they can be taken
off to form new plantation, or remain,
as may be wanted
In suitable soil, which should be
rich and moist-and tropical climate,
it requires about one year TO mature its
fruit, from the first appearance of the
plant. Each stalk bears but one bunch
of fruit. When it is gathered, the stalk
is cut down. Ten feet apart is a good
distance to plant them. This gives
over four hundred per acre, and the
second year there will be ten or twelve
plants to each hill, and soon will occupy
most of the ground. After the first
year they require but little cultivation,
the old stalks and leaves acting as mulch
and manure. Under favorable condi-
tions there is no cessation of growth.
New plants and ripe fruit are found at
all times, and plantation once started
lasts for years.
1t is probable that no plant was ever
cultivated that will yield more food per
acre, or result in greater profit to the
owner, where there is market for it.
1t is easily and cheaply gathered, re-
quiring no packages, and bears handling
and transportation well. Ten lunches
a year per hill is fair estimate for the
yield of good plantation. This would
give over 1000 punches per acre.
Many of these will contain over 100
fruit. 1t is favorite food in tropical
countries, and always in demand at the
seaport towns for shipment. There are
some people, no doubt, who live on
bananas alone; but it is not probable
that any great amount of work can be
got out of dozen of that fruit day.
Southern Florida and some of the islands
on its coast have proved to be suitable
and profitable for the culture of the
banana, and instances are mentioned
where the receipts have been over $3,-
900 per acre, including some plants
sold. The southern part of California
is also said to be well suited to its
growth. These are the only parts of
the United States where it can be grown
successfully. Here in Louisiana it re-
quires two years to perfect itself, and,
without winter protection, seldom ma
lures its fruit.
THE MODE OF LIFE OF Roors.-As
the duties of the roots differ in the va
rious plants, so do their modes of life
vary; some live wholly in the water,
others (and these are by far the greater
number) live in the obscurity of the
soil, while others, again, fasten upon
the trunks and branches of plants larger
than themselves. In the shape of the
roots we find corresponding diversity.
Some are short and thick-set, as wit
ness those of the beet and radish, from
which fine, thread-like rootlets shoot
out, in order to feed the main root;
others are long and slender; some creep
along near the surface of the ground,
while others, again, dive deep down in
to the earth, as though seeking to pen
citrate its innermost secrets. But all,
great and small, thick-set and slender,
are provided with wonderful amount
of energy and perseverance, never fail
ing, if unmolested, to perform the work
allotted them with no small degree of
intelligence.
Most of our readers have doubtless
seen descriptions of that beauteous
orchid of the isthmus of Panama, the
Espirito Santo, or flower of the Holy
Ghost, so called because of the won-
derful representation of dove, with
bowed head and folded wings, which
forms the center ofthe pulpit-lik flower.
For some years, the native, regarding
the plant with superstitious reverence,
carefully concealed the knowledge of
its existence from all foreigners; but at
length it was discovered, and several
bulbs were carried into the city of Pan
anna, where they were planted in boxes,
and assiduously nursed, but without
success. The bulbs withered and dried,
and were at last thrown away in de-
spair-a despair that proved their sal
vation. Cast out upon heap of rub
bish and stones, the bulbs, no longer
buried in the earth by an ignorant mas
ter. exulted in their freedom, and strik-