The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-11-17
Banana Culture.

WI
When the banana fruit is arrived 10 the proper
point of development 1t is entirely wrapped in the
dried leaves taken from the tree itself and sent TO
the steamers which are to transport them. The
banana culture being nearly all in tine hands of
Chinese, Portuguese and native Hawaiians-eS-
pecially the former-the cultivators in this island
rarely ever export on their own account. They
generally sell 10 agents of San Francisco fruit
dealers, who 60 around TO the plantations few
days before the steamers denarture and select and
mark the punches on the plants. The selection is
not made by the weight, rs II ought really to be,
but by the number of rows layers of fruit in the
bunch, these rows being called hands" Bunches
numbering less than eight hands are generally
fused, as being too small. No reason for this un-
intelligent way Of buying can be given, other than
that If is the Californian custom. / suppose it
originates in the fact that the fruit is generally sold
in San Francisco 10 retailers, who deal II by cut
ting thebunches into their different rows, which
are sold separate, and the fruit are even sold by
the dozen. This would explain why the greater
number of rows or hands is preferred to the larger
size and better ,qualityOf the fruit for it is we'll
known TO any one with experience in banana cul-
ture that, as Mr.. W. Hill says, " the number Of
hands is no more an indication of the size and
weight of bunch than the number of fingers
man has, indicates the size of his hand the small
handed dwarf having as many fingers as the big
handed giant" As matter of fact il is not rare
TO see punches of eight and nine hands with small
fruit weighing considerably less than seven hand
bunch with large we'll grown fruit, the smaller
number of fruit on a bunch allowing larger
growth and the fullest development producing the
richest flavor. Yet the small bunch with eight or
nine rows will be marketable, whilst the superior
seven hand bunch will be disdAinfully rejected.
The most reasonable way would be accordingly to
sell the punches by the weight. But certainly it
would never be profitable TO ship very small
lunches, except IN cases of great scarcity, the
reason of their being improbable resulting not
so much of their naturally low selling value, as
now Is the case in the San Francisco market, but
on accoun; of the propOrtionately higher cost of
transportation, freight being regulated not by size
or weight but so much apiece.
Now il will be well to point to another habit of
growers, which greatly Injuries the quality of the
fruit, and this 10 that the lunches are seldom al
lowed TO mature sufficiently on the plant but they
are cut when little more than half grown and then
hung up TO ripen, or better to get soft and habby
This Is the principal reason why bananas usually
found in San Francisoo from these islands are far
from being what they should and might be.
On this point Mr.. Hill fully endorses my views
and further adds "of course in cutting the bunches
due allowance must be made for the six or seven
days of transit between here and San Francisco.
Premature ripening on board ship, owing to too
close packing and lack of contact with the fresh
air. must be taken into account But there is
really necessity for the fruit being exported 80
young as 1t generally is. In fact il is always safe
TO cut the punches for export by steamers when
the fruit has attained its full growth provided they
are carefully handled, properly taken care of on
board and not packed in such way as TO exclude
fresh air and become heated or cooked. Then the
San Francisco people would get an article SO much
superior IN appearance and taste to what they are
accustomed to, that they would Imagine il TO be
an entirely different variety OF fruit. Even in this
warm climate banana takes from four 10 siI
days TO rpen after 1t begins TO turn color and will
require still longer period in the cooler climate
between here and the Coast if it be placed in con-
tact with the cool air. In fact 1 have frequently
sent IN custody of private parties, punches that
were beginning to ripen before cut and have in
variably received information Of their arrival over
IN excellent condition. -
II.
Although bananas occupy quite prominent
place in tho list of the natural products exported
from here, yet an immense MARGIN still renains
between our present production and the largest
producing capability of this country. The culture
of bananas an item of expectation is rather
late requirement and is certainly greatly due to
the facilities of transportation resulting from our
bl-monthly steamers.
len years ago, IN nine months only 4,9S0 lunches
were exported In 1879, the yearly exportations
had grown to 1888, in 1880 10 19,lG4, in 1881 to
20776 and in 1882, to 28, ,S4S In 1889, the number
suddenly jumped up to a. gO2 and continues In 1885
to 5SO+Oi this year, nine months only already
gives an expectation of 1868 punches.
Now there is no doubt that if the demand for
export al remuneratlye prices warranted it, our
production would rapidly increase TO much higher
hgures STILL But whether this culture at the pres
ent rates, is remuneratve, is what am going to
investigate.
IN the West Indies, where the banana cuIture
has also been steadily increasing i. is supposed to
be very remunerative. In Jamaica the Irrigation
works have given IT great impulse since 1876, and
Is now considered there TO be highly satisfactory
from a monetary point Of view. A writer on this
matter states that 'in a fairly good SOIL with suf-
helent water for irrigation and under careful intel
hgent management the best return per acre may
safely be estimated at tl5 per annum," though
there are often very great dsparities in the re-
turns. The expenditures, which leaves room for
the above return, are set down as follows:
Cleaning Of land and plouchinr inr...........e1IO
Irritation trenches etr