davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

banana leaves the fruit is safely brought to the
railroads.
Bananas grown for the market are planted.
as rule, on the border of navigable waters
Plantations are divided into sections or zones
Of about ten to twenty miles in length, and the
zones are "cut' in rotation, thereby cleaning up
the available supply Of fruit in one or several
sections while it is maturing In others.
In Costa Rica the system which has been
evolved for handling the fruit from the time 1t
is cut from the plant until it is placed on the
dealers little stand in the far interior cities OF
the United States is indeed marvellous.
When a steamer starts from United States
port to secure it's cargo a cable is sent advising
Of the departure, so that preparations can be
made for cutting the crop. The carrying ca
pacity of the vessel is known almost to bunch.
Each plantation manager furnishes at the be-
ginning Of the week an estimate of the amount
of fruit he can cut, and one, two, or three sec
tions may be called upon, according to the size
of the ship and the quantity of fruit available
in each section. About thirty-six hours previ-
GUS to the expected arrival of the steamship or
ders are sent to the plantations, notifying
them to cut fruit for delivery on a specific date
The day before the steamer is due trafVs are
made up and sent out to pick up the fruit, these
trains being so timed that steamers will net be
delayed waiting for cargo.
On the morning Of the cutting, the plantation
is all astir. First out are the CUTTERS" who
go up and down the long avenues Of banana
plants, closely inspecting each hanging bunch.
In cutting the fruit long lances are used, palm
poles armed with broad steel blades. The stalk
of the tall plant is half severed at point about
eight feet above the ground. The weight Of the
fruit causes the top Of the plant to bend slowly
to the earth, where the bunch is cut from the
stem by stroke of the machete. Following
the cutters come the picking-up gangs, who de-
liver the fruit at the receiving platforms along
the railroad track An inspector watches the
fruit as it is passed into the cars. He counts
and grades each bunch, rejecting those that
show signs of ripening and those that are un-
dersized or bruised.
After cargoes are discharged in the United
States solid trains Of banana cars run as "spe-
cials" every day in the week from New York,
Baltimore and New Orleans to all of the large
cities of the country. Carloads are even shipped
to Calgary Canada over 1000 miles from New
Orleans
The front sentilators of the forward cars of
these trains and the ventilators of the
list cars, connected by means of canvas
tubes run into main trunk chute. A powerful
exhaust draws off the heat thrown out by the
fruit in it's ripening process, and the fans cir
cnlate cold air through every car in the train.
Ijuring the winter months the operation is
yersed, and fruit in transit during very cold
weather is warmed while proceeding to it's
destination.
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

develops rapidly continually bendlne mole anu
more until in a short time 1t has turned GULL
plctely upon ITSELF so that the Danahas 81"
end up or in position the reverse VI WHICH
they are usually hung From seven 10 Iweise
months after the blossom appears the iiui'
is ready for the gatherer At irregular inter
walls along the entire stalk, and only extending
part Of the way round at any one place. the
bracts break forth tiny ridges of flowers
which are almost Immediately replaced Dy
nine to twelve embryo bananas. These are
the future hands of the bunch, so called on
account Of their resemblance to those mem
bers when held in a certain position
The banana has a curious and prodigal meth
cd of propagation, for before the parent Stalk
and fruit have matured new ones spring up
These are offshoots that grow from the root OF
the original planting, resembling sprouts from
the "eyes" Of potato, and each in turn be-
comes parent stalk with its fruit 1t follows
that unless most of the continually appearing
new plants are cut out (Which Is the practlce)
the first stalk in few years will become the
center of miniature jungle. The plants grow
to height of from fifteen to thirty-fve feet,
spreading in all directions, until the soil is
overburdened with an enormous mass Of stalk
and leaf growth, and stunted fruit is produced
In planting for the market about 200 hills are
allowed to the acre. Sometimes the number
can be safely increased to 225. in which case
there will be 500 stalks. However, after one
year all of these stalks do not produce mar
ketable bunch of bananas, and the average
yield is not over 300 full punches to the acre
per annum.
Perry, the well-known authority on bananas,
estimates that grower can produce bunch
for from ten to fifteen cents, which will have
a market value of 80 cents. The cost of pro-
ducing after the first crop is confined to culti-
waiting and harvesting which may be done for
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

ly restricted to the eastern coast line, for the
banana is one of the thirstiest of plants, and
cannot be expected to produce its maximum
amount of fruit in districts where there are
less than 100 inches of annual rainfall Un-
fortunately for humanity, great areas of the
land lying within this belt are high, dry and
sterile, while others are sandy or rocky, SO
only small fraction is so located that banana
growing can be made profitable The altitude
must not invite danger Of FROST and high tenn
perature is necessary for the growth. The
southern coast of the Mexican gulf, the Puerto
Barrios section Of Guatemala, the Puerto
Cortes district Of Honduras, the Puerto Limon
district of Costa Rica, the Bluefelds district of
Nicaragua, the Bocas del Torro region Of Pan
ANA, the Colombian province Of Santa Marta,
and certain portions of Cuba, Jamaica, the Do
minican Republic, Haiti and Dutch Guiana, all
combine the favored elements of soil and eli
mate.
The plant has two natural enemies-the
gopher and the wind storm-but against al
most all other tropical conditions its hardi-
hood is remarkable
1t is matter of common observation that
the banana is absolutely seedless, cultivation
through innumerable generations having led
to a vegetable method of propagation Some
Of the primitive seedbearing varieties are
still said to exist in isolated regions of the far
east.
The first step toward cultivation is the clear
ing Of the land. Into the tangle Of shrubs and
vines and the thick snarl of tropical vegeta-
tion the laborer comes with an ak and
"machete' and cuts low everything but the
giant trees. When all Of the small timber and
brush has been felled planting is commenced.
Young shoots are obtained from planta-
tion already in bearing and these are placed in
rows about IL feet apart. When the planting
is finished, the only labor necessary is to keep
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

will help to put China in accord with
the rest of the civilized world. The
importance of the reforms that are
following one another in China and
the extent to which they are radical
may be appreciated when 1t is con-
sidered that until the present genera
ton outsiders, in practically every
part of China, were foreign devils" I"
There were no railroads, and no dis
position to permit the construction
of any or. to encourage anything not
already tested by centuries of prac-
tice. China not only has railways
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

Forty years ago there were very few people in
this country who could boast of having seen q
bunch of bananas. The fruit was practically un-
known. Now, in even the most remote country
store, this pride Of .he tropics" is familiar
sight.
Despite the fact that millions Of punches are
consumed, they belong almost wholly to one
member Of the family, the common yellow
Guineo.
Scientists have recognized and classified as
many as 40 different species, ranging from the
ornamental groups that do not develop fruit, to
the giant bananas, the Platano Of the Spanards.
The red banana is not common in the Ameri-
can markets In the United States it is used
only to dress" fancy baskets Of fruit, but in
the tropical countries 1t is quite favorite. The
individual banana is large, but the stalk does
not carry as many "handg" as the yellow varie-
ties, so as it does not byng as large price to
the grower and Wholesaler, its extensive cultiva-
tion is not encouraged
Banana culture is one of the oldest of indus
tries. 1t has been known since the origin of
the human race. Long before the dawn Of his
tory in the old world, perhaps long before the
old world rose from the waters, man lived on
the fruit of the Musas The banana was gen.
orally considered native of southern ASIA
and to have been carried into America by
Europeans until Humboldt threw doubt upon
its purely Asiatic origin, quoting early authors
in America long before the conquest. It is
claimed that at the time of the Incas in Peru
bananas formed one of the staple foods of the
natives of the warm and temperate regions of
the Montana In spite of the uncertainty as
10 just which country may claim the fruit as
indigenous, all tropical lands assert their right
to it.
The first importation of bananas to the
United States occurred in 1904, when the
Reward.
brought into New York, as a commercial ven-
ture, a consignment Of 30 punches; but the
real beginning Of the trade dates back to 1866,
when Mr.. Charles Frank undertook the i'm
portation of fruit from Colon to New York
Previous to that venture small cargoes con-
ssting mainly Of the red banana had been re-
ceived at irregular intervals from Cuba. In
1870 Captain Baker, an owner OF Cape Cod
schooner, took a charter to carry gold miners
and machinery 500 miles up the Orinoco river
in Venezuela. After discharging his cargo,
Captain Baker ran into Jamaica to secure
some cocoanuts as ballast to New York, carry
ing few punches of bananas on the deck as
an experiment The result promised great
future for the industry on that island, which
has been fulfilled, the exports last year reach
ing s4,000,000
On the American continent, bananas are sue
cessfuly grown through 80 degrees OF latitude.
from Tampico, Mexico, 25 degrees north, to
Asuncion in Paraguay, in the Tropic of Capri
corn, % degrees south-a belt over 5000 miles
In width. Cultivation of the fruit is practical
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

down the weeds and care
fully clean the ground
about the the root Of each
stalk.
The banana plant will
grow with wonderful rap
idity under favorable cir
cumstances. In fact, the
development from a new
ly planted sucker to the
plant in full bearing is
simply short of marvel
Gus. Within a space or
six or seven weeks the
two or three foot plant
has more than doubled in
size, and a month or so
later the leaves cease to
unfold and a spike ap-
pears out of the center OF
the crown. This is the fu-
ture stalk of the bunch
and carries a huge RED
- tho pud If
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

rest of the party went OF to find q
spring. When the searchers returned
with the water, they found nothing
ready but the coffee. which. being in
temperature-retaining bottles, re-
quired no preparation.
where's the bacon?" asked one of
the men. Didn't the fire burn well
enough?'
"The fires all right" said the
would-be cook, "but we'd like to know
how you expected US to fry bacos
without any lardf--Lipp,ncott's Eag
az'ne
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

now. but is building more and has
IN prospect network of lines to grid
iron the empire. 1t has parliament,
constitution and cabinet, all the
acquisitions of a decade. China seems
destined in very short while to take
a much more important position that
iS now occupies in world affairs.
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25
Sunday Observed in China

of western civilization,and is Fastening
to make up for lost time. Its latest
move is embodied in an official de-
termination to observe Sunday as a
day of rest. While the considerations
prompting this step, may not be re-
ligious. the result is sure to be bene-
fetal. Six days of work to one of
rest constitute proportions justifiable
op scientific grounds. and furthermore
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25
People Of the Flowery Kingdom VIII
Keep Holy, the First Day Of
the Week.

China is showing signs Of exceeding
even the speed attained by Japan.
when once started on the way from
medievalism to modernism. The
Efowery Kingdom, which. during
many centuries, has existed unto it.
aalf. is awAksa2ns - the advantages
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

from $40 to $40 per acre yearly. The net profit,
however, averages about $50 per acre in the
various banana producing sections. The banana
often grows in combination with other products.
In some cases 1t is used as a shade for young
coffee plants.
great many people are of the opinion that
the banana would be much better if it was al
lowed to ripen the plant, but this is not the
case. Such fruit is strong in flavor, does not
mature to perfection, and the skin breaks, at
tracing numerous insects, while the weight or
the bunch itself becomes too great for the plant,
either one or both coming to the ground. The
punches are cut when the fruit is one-haf to
threequar.ers matured, though still green and
as hard as nails 1t continues to feed from the
cut stalk which contains great amount OF
sap, until fully ripe. Should the cutting occur
too soon however, the fruit, although turning
yellow will never attain the perfect flavor.
With the cutting of the bunch ends the life
of the plant, for 1t bears but once and is usual
Iy cut down to obtain the fruit, or succumbs
few days later to the cleaning process, which is
merely the bringing of spent piece to the
ground Cutting the fruit itself involves the
only careful labor on the banana plantation, as
the punches weigh from fifty to sixty pounds.
and even slight knocks are followed by bruised
spots under which the fruit quickly ripens and
decays. However. by the liberal use OF dried
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25
Volunteer Cooks.

On camping trip of young persons
two Of the girls volunteered to get
breakfast the first morning while the
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

the 1910 importation, at point of export, was
S12,500,00O while in all probability the con-
suming public of the United States expended
over $35,000000 for this delectable fruit.
During the past ten years the number Of
bananas consumed In the United States has
more than doubled, and the increased tropical
acreage under cultivation assures even more
startling figures for the next decade. Many
European countries are importing large quanti-
ties of bananas; last year Great Britain con-
sumed over SS,000,000 worth, Germany, over
$1,0O0,000 and France, $500,000
With the worlds decreasing food supply, and
the wheat crop at standstill, the banana comes
forward as an important factor in saving the
day. One acre with little labor will annually
produce 1900 pounds of bananas, or more than
one and one-third times as much food substance
as an acre of corn, two and one-third times as
much oats, almost three times as much per
acre as wheat and potatoes, and four times as
much as rye. The chemical composition Of ba-
nanas and potatoes is almost identical.
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

CALIFORNIA SPECIAI-l0 acres and free
~ dom on the beautiful Mendocino County Coast
The coming fruit belt Of the world SIS down and SIS
monthly buys q 10 acre fruit tract where freedom
and Independence await you. No interest or taxes.
Address California Apple Land Co., 10l Telegraph
Avenue. Oakland, California.
The Ely miner., 1911-08-25

F you did not eat three dozen
bananas last year, you did not
have your share. Over 100000
600 punches, or more than
5000, 100000 bananas, were I'M
ported into the United States in
1910. The immensity Of this
shipment can be more readily
grasped by the statement that
1t would cover an area 20 feet
wide, reaching from New York
to San Francisco, or. placed end
to end, would extend thirteen
times around the earth at the
equator. The slip" in the peels
would launch the ships Of the
world The wholesale value of
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05
The Cowboy's Rnndapna.

Have you ever wondered why the cow
boy pictures OF Frederic Remington and
other painterers who have made a study OF
western life depict the man OF the plains
with his red bandanna half way down on his
chest. instead OF fitting snugly around his
necky' queried &. l.. McKinlay, a ranch
owner OF California, brother OF Representa-
tive Mckinlay.
"Ill tell you, When a coyboy starts on a
long ride over the plains one of hts Drin-
cipal annoyances 10 having TO wipe dust
from hts eyes. His heavy gauntlets make
u Impossible 10 use his hands and he ties
his handkerchief loosely around his neck
and when occasion requires uses Il to clear
his eyes IL Is the most convenient place to
carry the handkerchief when riding a
horse. Washington Herald.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

The skipper was in his cups for nearly
a week and allowed the boat to get 100
miles off the course, the vessel being on
these death dealing needles when the crew
realized their plight. This state OF affairs
reached climax when the skipper chased
one OF the deck hands around the boat at
the point Of a huge knife. Like a real
hero in a play Mr. Mcleod picked up a
shooting iron and told the skipper his
services would be dispensed with in
stanter unless he take heed 10 the move
ments Of the vessel and give up his howl
ing dervish stunts.
When the boat reached port Mr.. Mcleod
quit the sea for q vocation on land. Mrs.
Mcleod is In the act with her husband.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05
brief Decisions.

Your temper Is worth more 70 YOU than
To anyone else. so keep a.
The free lunch" Is usually very eN-
pensive in the end
square deal should be given even to an
enemy.
When a giFl becomes popular with the
ana take notice.
II Is a safe bet that the women who
tie In n.
a mans calm often causes a woman
storm.
The penitentiary often makes the pen
itent man.
TIE LONGER the read. the shorter the
tonEue.-Judge.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

.DAME X" Bisson's famous
melodrama, which Heavy w.
Savage Is to offer here. begin
ming with tonight At the Bran
deis. is a play crsiited wYh hav-
ing made a m1re lasting i'm
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

Yes, Mailed Il on Ny Way Downtown.
Maria"
with Sentiments Of the Highest Esteem
/ Remain. as Ever.
Il Cordially Recommend the Bearer to
Your Favorable Consideration"
Yes, Mr.. Sharpe, l Have Formed and
Expressed an Opinion In This Case"
mo; That Story Is New 10 Me- Go
Ahead and Tell IT,"
I'm Glad She Didn't Invite Me 10 Her
Farty; ] Should Have Had 20 Co"
Vote Tor siOdgers. the Peoples Choice. "
Il Can't Swim a Stroke, Mr.. ketehley,
YOu'll Have 10 Teach Me"
Delicious California Peaches. Chicago
Tribune.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05
Bills for Week at Omaha Theaters

Carrie Kahn. Mabel Kahn. Harry Eobon-
son. Mike H. Chasson and Abner Kaimsn.
Bubble Of Minstrels." by Abner Kali
man, IL fun Of mirth and enjoyment The
aesthetic dancing 70 be performed by the
advanced students Of Chambers academy,
will add much to the evenings entertain
ment. This entertainment is under the
direction Of Miss Jennie Gordon
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

"Ten Nights in a Bar Room" under the
direction OF Pinkney and Berch, is an
nounced for the regular dramatic offering
for the latter portion Of the week at the
Krug starting February Q. The drama
possesses that rare quality which makes
II welcome. Messrs Pinkney and Berch
IS said 60 have given the play a capable
strong acting cast superior to the average
priced attraction.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

The benefit entertainment for the New
Generation" takes place tonight at the
Lyric. The sketches " hich viii be played
are 'Jayville Junction" and Ills Model
Wife" Those taking part In "Jayville
Junction" are Coleman A, Gordon. Norris
Rosenblum Mike a. chasson, Harry Rob-
inson, Ahner Kaiman. Josh Pregiar wits
Crane. Robert Gibson. Mich Krasne, Nellie
Levine, Sara AEinskee, Lillian Rabin, Tony
Myers. Sarah Myers, Minnie Romaneck.
Jennie krasne, Yettie stifler. Carrie Kahn,
Mabel Kahn. Mildred Scott and Eva spigle.
Those taking part In Ellis Model WIFE
are Marie Gordon, Mildred Scott, Ida
Brodkey. Esther Epstein. sadye Ketelman.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

The American theater enjoyed its first
amateur night on last Friday, when a div
ing competition was held in the large tank
used by Lotue Mayer, the headliner OF this
weeks bill at the American. Four young
men. members Of the Young Mems Chris
tian association swimming class, were the
contestants. They were Robert sandberg,
Arthur Belndorf, Eric Anderson and Wal
ter Williams Each participant was al
lowed TO make ten dives and at the end
BeindoTf
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

Mathews are clever entertainers who have
just completed a tour of Europe under the
direction of Theater Booking Corporation
Of Chicago. which company books all the
attractions for the American theater, and
maintains offices throughout the world.
The Ameriscope, presenting interesting ami
mated motion pictures completes the week s
bill.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

precision and created a greater sensation
than any theatrical attraction Of 'h5 pres
ent generation. That this play c.es.;r.ficd
even blase Paris for over a year Is now
we'll known. as is also shc fac. that Mr..
Savage was able to secure tho Ame.i,an
rights only by being In toe French capital
when Madame X vas first prodrred
thereby circumventing the plans Of doNen
American managers who ma l. liberal e.
fers the morning after the news of is sem
sational success had been cublsl every
where
Madame X" both IN theme and develop
by playrights recently. and It's appeal 20 the
emotions Is well nigh irresistible. In the
famous courtroom scene OF which 80 much
has been published. the striking situation
IL presented OF son being appointed by
Judge 20 defend his own mother on trial for
murder Her guilt is known to the au-
dence. hence when her son arises TO plead
ful impressveness and rare appeal lie Is
ignorant OF the fact that she - his mother
and she OF her relationship TO the n an
fighting for her freedom She, because Of
a desire to prevent the story OF her mis-
fortunes ever reaching her sons ears. re-
fuses TO speak q word in her own defense,
and on account OF the mystery surrounding
her II known only as Madame x The
engagement Is for Sunday. Monday, Tues
day and Wednesday evenings, with mat
inee on Wednesday afternoon.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05
THE BORGLUM STUDIsS
2B81 Douglas Street

1851 Douglas Street
August NJ. BOrglum, Madame Borglum
Pupils of Wagner SWayne, Paris.
Piano Instruction
Leschetizky Method
supplemented by Ear Training
and Sight Reading.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05
Actor
Plays Many
Parts in Real Life

ROM sailor and soldier Of for
tune to actor Is the life story
OF Gordon Mcleod, who played
last week with Bert Coote at
the Orpheum in "A Lamb on
Wall Street"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

Mr. Mcleod, who is a scotchman, has
had a varied experience fighting the Beers
and the waves. He was In the British
army during the Boer war. During an en-
gagement at Springfontain, Orange River
Colony, South Africa he sustained serious
injuries, which finally resulted In an
honorable discharge lie was guarding
some 800 horses with a detachment OF
comrades when a bullet from a Boer rifle
struck his horse In the flank, causing the
animal 20 lunge and strike Mcleod in the
ribs. The injured man fell twenty feet off
OF the kopil where he was stationed, land
ing on his knees on the rocks below. He
was lifted 20 the saddle Of his horse and
assisted ten miles by a sergeant 20 THE
hospital where he remained month.
After a years service in the Boer war he
returned 10 Scotland On the boat over
to the United States he met Bert Coote,
who engaged him for the part In the pres
ent sketch.
Mr.. Mcleod was third mate on a British
merchant vessel. He tells OF an experiences
on the needles" off the Australian coast