The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-05
BANANAS AND THE CUBAN WAR,
An Industry northumberland III.
Fruit is Now Gathered and Sent
to This Country.
(From the Washington Starr

dustry. Three years ago one could feel
reasonably certain that Il banana seen in
the United States was grown in Cuba.
Now we do not get a single bunch from
the island Cuba formerly sent US over
2, 0oo 600 punches of the rich tropical fruit
every season. The principal firms en-
gagged in the importation of bananas had
great plantations of thousand of acres in
extent, and eastern Cuba was rapidly be-
coming one huge banana farm. In fact,
the raising of bananas had grown to be
one of Cuba's most important industries
Twenty vessels were continually occupied
In carrying the fruit to the United States
During 1895 the crop was not seriously
affected, but last year banana traders
found it impossible to load their vessels in
Cuba. During the season large part of
the plantations was destroyed, and now
nothing grows where once was the most
fertile and highly productive spot in
Cuba.
The destruction of the banana planta-
lions has incidentally involved the loss of
considerable American capital, but the
trade itself has not been allowed to Ian
guish, although it is almost true that not
a banana comes out of Cuba today. The
amount of this fruit used in America this
season will be more than double what it
was in the year before the Cuban war.
Cuba, the great banana raiser, has disap-
peared from this line of work, but her
place has been taken by Jamaica, Porto
Rico and the surrounding islands, Mexico
and Central America. Natives, blacks
and American planters have gone into
the business in all these places, and the
result is that bananas are now cheaper
than ever, and the supply is large enough
to meet the rapid increase in demand.
This increase has been remarkable dur
ing the past few seasons. 1t is probable
that this year between Is, 100000 and 30
COO, 900 punches will be brought into this
country. Of this amount, nearly one-half
comes by way Of New Orleans, one-third
other ports.
1t is only within the past few years
that the handling of bananas has been
worthy the name of distinct trade. Pre-
viously it was only a part of the fruit
trade, and, like most kinds of fruit, the
banana was counted on as good for it's
season. The banana season was ION"
when apples berries and other native
fruits were ''off. % AS time went on,
however, and greater familiarity with the
banana taught people that it was one of
the most excellent and adaptable of fruits
steady demand grew up which persists
the year around. Physicians took up the
banana and recommended 1t for its
healthful and nourishing qualities, and
altogether the banana has come into high
favor. That is briefly why the people of
the United States will eat this year some
&c, 000,0 C0 punches of bananas, or roughly
one bunch averaging two hundred
bananas to every family in the country
Aside from its commercial Importance
the banana trade is interesting for its
picturesque features. From the dark-hued
Jamaican or Mexican who cuts the stalks
where they grow, through the colored
roustabouts and white handlers who load
and unload the vessels, the wholesale and
retail dealers to the Greek and Italian
push-cart merchants who sell the fruit
upon our city streets, there is a range of
thrift and shiftlessness, Eand q variety of
humankind that it would be hard to
match in any other industry.
The boats engaged in the banana trade
are properly coasting vessels, light of
raft, to accommodate the shallow har-
bors of the tropics, built for fair speed and
great carrying capacity. Most of them
belong to the different firms that import
the fruit, and carry from 10000 to 10000
buncbes at each trip. This means from
2 900, 900 to 100000 bananas in every
cargo The perishable nature of their
load requires quick work in loading and
unloading these boats, and there is no
more lively or interesting scene than q
banana vessel taking on or discharging
cargo.
At the little West Indian ports where
the bananas are loaded there is apt to be
the greatest excitement during the day or
two while the vessel is taking on its cargo
Carts of the most wonderful construction
come pouring in from the plantations
piled high with the green fruit, fresh cut
sullen mules, and are driven by lazy
blacks, who loll upon their loads and
swear Justify at their teams and at each
other in the musical tones of these south
ern islands. The air is full of the crack.
ing of whips, rich Spanish oaths and an
occasional invigorating Ango-Saxo in
junction to 'look lively there
no OAlO A0SFJ oShSiiSo ~ - o'o Eo ON0E
the ships side they are counted and
packed away in the hold in lots of sevens
or mines, according to the number that
"hangs,' ~ that is, the number of rows of
fruit, on each stalk. When the season is
at its hight, as it is just now, there is a.
grand rush to get the fruit on board, and
the work never subsidies until the vessel
is filed to the matches. Sometimes, how
ever, the boats have to coast along the
shallow shores to make up their loads
and then the fruit is RATED out to them
in small lots on log RATS bound together
with vines and poled by strapping blacks
whose ideas in regard to clothing are
about as primitive as those of the natives
of Central America.
When the hold Is filled the banana boat
wastes not a moment in getting away
with her cargo, and makes the best time
she is capable of to her port of destina-
ton. Most of these boats are very fair
travellers, and can unload tn fruit in New
York within six days of it's cutting
making the trip from Jamaica OF Porfo,
Rico to New York in three or four DAYS
When the boat arrives in port gangs Of
workmen are awaiting to unload her. AZ
soon as she has tied up to her dock she ia
surrounded by trucks and lighters the
matches are thrown open, and the men
4 Il ~ oh s@t