The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-10
BANANA EATERS.
Millions of Them Brought
to This Country.
They Come From West Indies,
Cuba and Jamaica.
Good Oranges Are Plentiful in the
Market Now.

In 1894 there were nearly l9OOO.0oo lunches
OF sananas brought into the United States.
and the chances are that most OF them were
eaten. There are all the way from six 20 IL
hands on a bunch. bands" being those
circles or clusters containing from six to u.
or more. bananas each. and leading fruit
dealer says the demand for bananas il steadily
on the increase. Az this rate. we will soon be
entitled 20 the distinction OF banana eaters.
as much rs tobacco chewers and whiskey
drinkers. And IL is surprising to SEQ how the
banana business flonrishes at this season of
the year. even in Providence. Most OF this
species Of plsntsin comes from the West In
dies, OF course, Cuba and Jamaica taking the
lead. with the Port Limon fruit, which comes
from the Isthmus OF Panama, close second.
A now banana district is coming into promi-
nence, too. at ssmana San Domingo and the
quality OF the product is as exceptionally fine
as the quantity is limited. But 10 is expected
that by 1897 the Samana Bay shipments will
vt least reach 1000. 900 lunches. Tho bananas
we see here come by rail from New York and
Boston, being loaded on the cars alongside the
fruiterer's and sent right along without delay.
so that within eight days from tho time of
picking in Southern climes the bunches hang
in the cellars of the Dy street merchants.
These bananas are consigned TO the firm,
which is indirectly connected with the
samana industry. besides doing a large bust
ness with growers in the other places named
In the winter bananas are transported across
country in Eastman heater cars, while in
warm weather ordinar- freight cars are used
Cod. although not injuring the fruit, turns
the jackets black. Bananas require n tenn
perature of from G5 to 40 degrees to rpen
properly, and keep very well in tight. dry
room.
The heaviest ports for receiving bananas are
New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia Mobile
and Boston, in tho order named. Providence
could have a steamer come in every week IL
the dealers could act in concert, and even
then losses would be likely in the event OF
"stuck market" when q steamer might leave
port with a consignment before a cable could
head her off.
The prices OF bananas vary. No. fruit OF
the Samsna kind, with nine or more hands to
the bunch. is worth from Sl.75 TO $780, No.
9. 81 10 sl25: No. 9, 80 to IS cents. Toe
Jamaica and Port Limon fruit IS worth from
80 cents to sl.75 a bunch.
Oranges are quite plentiful and good at this
season also. the Florida crop, OF course.
cepted. The freeze out there last year ruined
the trees so that very few oranges have
been received from that section. Jamaicas-
have been plentiful and are now reaching the
end OF their run. In another week Nalencias
will come in and last perhaps n month. when
M,ssnas Will take their place. Jamaicas
bring So 20 and ~ a box, and Valeneias in
cases containing half many more will bring
about 81.
California oranges have been IN tho market
for week or so and they are pretty good.
The crop in some districts, though, has been
damaged by the frost.
Redlands fruit brings fair prices, and the
sizes are smaller than usual. California
oranges do not get real sw eet until March
and April, when the height of the season Is.
The hest Redlands bring SO. - and SAB per
box. the former for 50 size. and the latter for
2OO in a box. Havana is sending a good quality
of fruit by every steamer, also.
Lemons are abundant and cheap, costing 90
a box now. where around the Fourth OF July
they are worth Sc per box, The demand for
lemons is light and the cold weather also
serves 10 keep the prices down. No other
fruit is much in vogue just now. the dealers
say, but will be as soon spring begins to