The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06

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Information received from Costa RIGA
shows that the area under cultivation in
creases very rapidly. more than $500 acres
OF new plantations having been set in 1902
The number of punches exported shows an
increase of 1856 per cent, as compared with
the figures of 1901 The export trade of the
United States began in 1881. and has grown
from $500 punches in that year to 4179,192
punches in 1902. Two hundred and thirty
steamers loaded with bananas cleared from
Port Limon to the United States last year.
Many consumers" the commission man
went on. think Costa Rica bananas are
the best that come here, and the prices OF
these always range higher on the dock and
from the store than on any other variety.
apparently they stand the voyage better
and can be shipped to distributing points
10 better advantage upon arrival here.
SHIPMENT AND HANDLING.
Tho banana business has been reduced to
a science. Where formerly shipments were
made on the decks of slow schooners, the
large part of the original shipments was
spotted. Now. special fast steamers, fitted
with the most modern refrigerating APP
phances. are provided. The fruit is picked
green and is transported principally on the
backs of coolies to the steamers. Some
large plantations in the south are better
fitted than this and have a more modern
way OF transportation and INSTEAD of hav-
ing these men carry the products on their
backs, have small railroads, in some in
stances with locomotives and small cars,
wnlch are pushed by coolies to the loading
How is the fruit handled in this coun-
try?"
Most OF the fruit is consigned direct to
the dealers by large importing interests
Occasionally cargo arrives which is sold
at the port at auction, but as the business
Is now conducted this is seldom necessary.
In New York, as II formerly was. when
cargo of Over-ripe bananas arrived the
push-cart men were informed of the con-
dition so they could take advantage of the
low prices. This prevails TO a certain ex-
tent here, but there are no such scenes
around the cars where an overtime consign-
ment is being sold as there is in New YORK
The Greek and Italian peddlers, as soon as
they would hear or the sale. would crowd
the wharves. and such fighting. yelling and
general confusion / never saw elsewhere
But this has all been done away with i'm
the last few years. The order promuIgatcd
by the city government OF that city a wear
or so ago restricted their sphere of opera
ton and was a severe loss TO banana i'm
porters. The only market they had for
OVer-ripe bananas was thus spoiled
THE cold weather this winter has SCR
iously injured the trade, and many cargoes
have been so badly chilled as 10 be worth
less. The importation OF bananas is virtu-
ally controlled by the United Fruit Com
pany. which owns immense plantations i'm
all producing regions. There are three or
four independent companies. including the
Valley Fruit Company. the Cuneo Trading
Company. the Aspinwall Fruit COMPANY
and w l. Rathburn. In Baltimore and
New Orleans others are operating. There
is talk OF still further extensions OF these
interests this year and no doubt before fall
there will be other banana plantations
springing up. Men of business are begin
ming 10 realize what excellent oppor-
raising Of this ever-popular fruit, and are
taking advantage of IL and buying planta-
lions in South and Central America"