The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-06-21

bananas are ripening, and the dead
bud is dropping.
Generally, but one branch or bear
ing stem is produced by a plant.
Stems produce from single hand to
six or seven, bearing from six to
forty bananas. And this locality is
not claimed TO be the natural loca-
ton OF the plant. 1t is largely being
cultivated for commerce in South
ern Florida, and travellers will easily
he enabled to witness fine groves,
by inquiry, on their way. In many
instances the product of a tree is
much larger than indicated by this
description as to the plant in Middle
Florida. Like the citrus, the banana
has become leading object of culti-
walton in Florida in later years. 1t
is not native to the State Twenty
five years ago there were few plants
grown here.
In a square of quarter of an acre
in Tallahassee the plants closely cover
the outer line, III number about 100,
and sufficient of them bear, to afford
a supply Of fruit TO a hotel table DUR
ing a season.
From a planted root, several trees
will spring in cluster within Cir
Gle OF few feet. They will rise to
the height mentioned, and if not
killed by cold, will survive in the
second year. With their suckers
from the ground, the cluster will be
constantly renewed; or, if killed by
the cold. they will spring up again
the next more favorable season.
One tree may bear the first year /;
it then withers and is cut, or dies
down, aud from the centre of the
stump springs new tree; another
bears the next year, and so annually;
so that in a grove there will be only
a proportion bearing at one season.
The roots are durable, and spread
almost without culture; so, that tor
tropical ornament alone, the trees
are worth planting, and there Is no
excuse for housekeeper not taking
| the chance OF having table dessert
which requires little more than
watching, 10 possess.
Estbetica!ly, there is nothing more
( grand than the close set banana line.
The great, green shining trunk, with
its surface like marble, fifteen TO
twenty inches in diameter, is
crowned with it's leaf formation,
measuring again the height OF the
trunk in the air. Each leaf in itself,
is on its strong mldrib, spreading
hHaaahfffI r7fff l71TFRRiTST 1 I'll ~ NJ
i4s4rpaeaE III hpy ia Ma a,al a. ~ 81
llfgss raisIns and other moist dried
sweet fruits, SO the field for exami-
nation is rather large.
What these insects look like under
the microscope, DR.. VIM. Young tells
in the Medical Tribune. He examin
ed them under a microscope of 400
diameters, and states as follows:
The intensity of horror that came
over me as l viewed the ugly-looking
creatures. and observed the fearful
battle that was going on in the few
grams OF sugar which lay before me.
was anything but soothing to nv
nerves. 1t was such sight as no one
can conceive, who has not had an on.
portunity of observing what l will
make an effort to describe. have
seen dozens, | am sure, OF the most
horrid>looking insects, in less than
twenty grains of sugar, which ap~
peared (under the power mentioned),
as large as f1eas, and somewhat re-.
sembllng Holsters. Their legs or arms
were provided with four joints each,
with pinchers at the end, and covered
with short, shining hair. Their heads
were encased within ring of ten or
twelve spear>like tentacul0, from the
end OF their nose (or what appeared
to be their nose) came twelve to fif.
teen long, worm>like feelers, which
they keptin continuous motion, for
the purpose lit seemed to mel, to
ward oil danger, from any and ali
directions. And from their hinder>
parts were presented ten or twelve
spear~like bristles; presume for pro-
tecilng themselves from danger in
that direction. Their bodies had dark
lines on each side, similar to a head
touSe or dcarstS ScodieS, and they were
in continual motion, throwing their
ill>looking limbs in every direction,
hitting their fellows, who seemed to
resent the freedom INDUCED in, and
perfect bedlam seemed to exist
among them, for L never saw them
when they were not fighting one
another, and tearing each other in
terrible manner.