The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-05-16
OF
BANANA BUSINESS

Fiji has not yet realised the enor-
nous commercial possibilities of the
banana. or the popularity of the fruit
and its prolific character, It is un-
necessary TO speak. The proved nu-
tritious properties OF the fruit destine
1t to become fruit for the million I'm
all parts of the world. The export of
the fruit In its natural state Is only
the commencement of an industry that
contains infinite possibilities OF COM
merclal expansion, with economical
treatment, and entire absence of waste.
The occasional glut of the green fruit.
over-production and irregular trans
port, all tend to enormous wastage and
low prices. BY the Introduction OF
such an industry as propose to briefly
outline, II would be possible to secure
markets throughout the world, and al
SO to eliminate the wastage of one
single bunch of fruit. There are no
less than twenty-three. bye-products
that can be economically manufactured
from the banana, and not one of these
has yet been scientifically or CONNER
| cially exploited, in any save the small
est degree. Fill possesses unique adj
vantages for the establishment of a
banana preserving industry, in con-
junction with fruit canning, as the two
essentials fruit and sugar. are both
abundant and cheap. Moreover, the
the Fijian banana Is more especially
adapted for successful preservation
than the same fruit grown in Queens
land or the West Indies. From expert
ments I have conducted, am con-
WINGED that at least two varieties of
the island banana are eminently adapt
ed for the manufacture Of no less than
| ten bye-products, including the plain
dried banana, crystallized bananas,
dessicated bananas, banana meal
| (moisD, banana flour, banana sugar,
bananas preserved In syrup, banana
essence, banana jam, and banana fibre.
A long and thorough practical expert
ence in fruit drying, evaporation, crys-
Utilization and dessication has given
me a knowledge of the subject that
may be of service to the Colony, and
am very willing to give a demonstra-
ton of the practical nature of the
scheme to any gentlemen who have
sufficient interest in its possibilities.
|
drying of coffee, vanilla, cocoa and
ginger. can all be economically done
In the islands by process with which
am thoroughly familiar. And the
canning of pineapples of the West In
dian variety forms in itself alone a
most profitable industry. There is an
unlimited market for banana products
and the cost of production Is so ex-
tremely low that 1t affords a very
handsome margin of profit for the
manufacturer. In the initial stage OF
the industry, I would suggest the es-
Establishment of a small factory In Suva
with the power of ready expansion,
and eventually 1t should be possible for
every planter In Fiji to possess his
own drying and preserving plant. TUT
ton in the different processes might,
, suggest, be given under the guidance OF
the Agricultural Department, and sub
sidized by the Government. feel con-
WINGED that the inevitable expansion
of the trade would justify the appoint.
ment Of commercial agents In New
1 Zealand, Australia and Canada, who
If properly qualified men, could be o.
, enormous service in promoting the ex'
port trade OF Fill. In anticipation Of
! the conventional objections that may
4 be raised against the establishment o.
l such scheme-First: 1t has been af
I firmed that bananas cannot be success
I fully dried In Fiji. To this objection
can only say that I have In my pos
session an excellent sample Of banana
dried in Suva, by the most primitiv,
0 and unscientific process, nearly thre
/; months ago. and at the present momen
a they are in perfect condition, and ar
likely to remain 80 for considerably
period. BY a process I have discover
ed in California, 1t Is possible to dr..
t bananas, and to keep them in an.
climate for not less than two years
a This also applies to the different bye
:, products. AS Ear as can discover tn
process is entirely unknown in Fiji
% Cost Of production:-A bunch of bana
mas representing eight hands, contain
l. Ing on an average 40 pieces of fruit
q. will produce 30 lbs. Of jam, with a tota
). cost OF fruit and sugar at 3s. Cd. Pine
apples can be landed in suva at tn
u factory door pro rate Cd. per doze
70 for the very best fruit. The cost O
i canning represents rs. Cd. per doze
I. cans. packed ready for export.
- Space Ii too limited to give furthe
details under this heading, but
'' might conclude by dealing with tn
+ all-important question Of markets
y Some four years ago, experiments,
d with a sample OF bananas grown in tn
v Canary Islands, and from these manu-
featured a small quantity OF refined
: banana meal This was analysed b!
Sir Andrew Wilson, f. r. C. s., VIII,
Z pronounced the preparation 1.-The mos
|, perfect infants food It was possible I,
A discover. for which there would be al
unlimited and ever-growing demand
Unfortunately the authorities place.
l. every possible obstacle in the way, an,
% II was impossible to initiate the In
+ dustry. Banana -four is at present II
great demand In England. Crystal
:, lized bananas represent an entirel!
new sweet-meat; banana essence
o new fiavoring; banana meal an ex
o cellent preparation for cakes, puddings
o and ices, and 80 on ad infinitum. Tn