davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

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
anna, 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 cli-
mate
The plaN has two natural enemies-the
gopher and the wind storm-but against al
most all other tropical conditions its hardi-
hood is remarkable.
It is a matter of common observation that
the banana is absolutely seedless, cultivation
through innumerable generations having led
to a vos.etable 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-
ton 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-
ton 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
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
anana leaves the fruit is safely brought to tho

banana leaves the fruit is safely brought to tho
railroads.
Bananas grown for the market are planted,
as a 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 1t 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 or
the United States is indeed marvellous.
When a steamer starts from United States
port to secure it's cargo 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 specific date
The day before the steamer is due trains are
made up and sent out to pick up the fruit, these
trains being so timed that steamers Will not Dc
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 pcking.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 ventilators Of the forward cars OF
these trains, and the rear ventilators Of the
last cars are connected by means Of canvas
tubes run into main trunk chute. powerful
exhaust draws off the heat thrown out by the
fruit in it's ripening process, and the fans cir
cuate cold air through every car in the train.
During the winter months the operation is re-
versed, and fruit in transit during very cold
weather is warmed while proceeding to its
destination.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

from SO to $40 per acre yearly. The net proht'
however, averages about $50 per acre in the
various banana producing sections The banana
often grows in combination with other products.
In some cases it is used as a shade for young
coffee plants.
A great many people are of the opinion that
the banana would be much better If 1t was al
lowed to -ipen on 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 OF
the bunch itself becomes too great for the plant
either one or both coming to the ground The
lunches are cut when the fruit is one-haf TO
three-ouarters matured, though still green ana
as hard as nails 1t continues to feed from the
cut stalk which contains great amount or
san. 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 lie
of the plant for it 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
snots under which the fruit quickly ripens and
decays. However, by the liberal use OF dried
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
Tuberculolsls Patients Neglected.

Out of more than 225 public hos
pitals for the insane, with a popula-
tion of fully 10000, only 70, or less
than one-third, make any provision
for their tuberculous inmates, and
this, too, in spite of the fact that the
percentage of deaths from this disease
is very high among this class of peo-
pie. Such is the substance Of a state
ment made recently by the National
Association for the Study and Proven
ton of tuberculosis. Seventy hos
pitals in % states, providing all told
about 1880 beds for tuberculosis in
sane patients, sums up the provision
made for this class of sufferers, al
though the percentage Of deaths from
tuberculosis among the insane ranges
from so to 200 per cent. higher than
among the general population.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

deve,ons RAPIDLY. continually bending more anu
more until in short time II mas tuineu 80, ~
pletely upon itself, SO that the bananas ~,
end I'M or in a position the reverse VI "n,on
thew are usually hung From seven 10 l"eNe
months after the blossom appears .ne
is ready for the gatherer At lrresulal M. L.
va1s along the entire stalk and only extending
part of the way round at any one place. tne
bracts break forth tiny ridges OF mowers
which are almost Immediately replaced ny
nine to twelve embryo bananas Ihese are
the future hands" of the bunch, so called on
account of their resemblance to those mem
bers when held in certain position.
The banana has curious and prodlgal inetn-
cd of propagation, for before the parent staih
and fruit have matured new ones spring up:
These are offshoots that grow from the root Oh
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 practice)
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
oyerburdened 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
Weld 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
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
LAWYER CURED OF ECZEMA

"While attending school at Lebanon,
Ohio, in 1882, became afflicted with
boils, which lasted for about two
years. when the affiiction assumed the
form of an eczema on my face, the
lower part Of my face being infamed
most Of the time. There would be
water.blisters rise up and open, and
wherever the water would touch 1t
would burn, and cause another one to
rise. After the blister would open,
the place would scab over, and would
burn and itch SO as to be almost un-
bearable at times. In this way the
sores would spread from one place to
another, back and forth over the
whole of my upper lip and chin, and
at times the whole lower part Of my
face would be solid sore. This con-
dition continued for four or five years,
without getting any better, and in fact
got worse all the time, so much so
that my wife became alarmed lest 1t
prove fatal.
During all this time of boils and
eczema, I doctored with the best ply
sicians of this part of the country, but
to no avail. Finally I decided to try
Cuticura Remedies, which I did, TAX
ing the Cuticura Resolvent, applying
the Cuticura Ointment to the sores,
and using the Cuticura Soap for wash
ing. In a very short time / began to
notice improvement, and continued to
use the Cuticura Remedies until was
well again, and have not had re-
currence of the trouble since, which Is
over twenty years. 1 have recon-
mended Cuticura Remedies to others
ever since, and have great faith in
them as remedies for skin diseases"
(SigneG A. C. Brandon, Attorney-at-
Law, Greenville, O., Jan. II, 1911.
Although Cuticura Soap and Oint-
ment are sold everywhere, sample
of each, with 32-page book, will be
mailed free on application to "Cuti-
cura," Dept. 8 X, Boston.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

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 it is con-
sidered that until the present genera
ton outsiders, in practically every
part of China, were foreign devils"
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
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

Forty wears ago there were very few people in
this country who could boast OF having seen
bunch Of bananas. The fruit was practically un-
known. Now, in even the most remote country
store, this pride Of the tropics" is familiar
sight.
i; 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 Spanisszis.
The red banana is not common in the hmeri-
can markets. In the United States & is used
only to dress" fancy baskets of fruit but in
the tropical countries it is quite favorite. The
Individual banana is large, but the stalk does
not carry as many hands as the yellow varie-
ties, so as it does not bring as large price to
the grower and wholesaler it's extensive cultiVa-
ton 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
it's purely Asiatic origin, quoting early authors
who asserted that the banana was cultivated
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
to 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
schooner Reynard, on a voyage from Cuba,
brought into New York. as commercial ven
ture consignment Of 80 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-
sisting 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 charter to carry gold miners
and machinery 300 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 $4,000,OOO.
cessfully grown through so degrees Of latitude.
from Tampico, Mexico 25 degrees north, TO
Asuncion in Paraguay, in the Tropic OF Capri
corn, 25 degrees south-a belt over 5000 miles
In width Cultivation Of the fruit is practical
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
NOT A BRITISH UNIT IN IT
Irishman Would Not for a Minute
Allow the Possibility of Such
a Thing.

George Mockler has just returned
from an investigation Of what coal
is costing some of the other cities.
He brought this story from Balti-
more:
An Irishman there inherited a coal
mine up in the state. He immedi-
ately entered the lists for one of the
big coal contracts and went around
to say a good word for his coal.
The man who was letting the con-
tract heard him a moment, and then
interrupted with:
That's all right, but how about
British thermal units?"
The other, being new to the ccal
business, did not know that coal is
rated now according to the British
thermal units in tests.
"Phat's that" he said.
How many British thermal units
are there in your coal?"
The Irishman blinked his eye and
snorted bit.
British thermal units is it?" he
said. why there amt wan in it."
st. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

down the weeds and care
fully clean the ground
about the the root of e-ch
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 OF
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
blossom at the end. 1t
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

rest of the party went off to find a
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 bacon
without any lard%-Lippincott's Mag
azine.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
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
on scientific grounds, and furthermore
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

now, but is building more and has
in prospect network of lines to grid
iron the empire. 1t has parliament,
a 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.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
The. Young Idea.

There are two kinds of joints, the
hinges and the ball-bearing.
Reflex action is the inside eye and
ear. Reflex action controls things
that we do not have to think about,
as talking.
Had we no skin, our clothes would
cause us endless agony.
The stomach is the trunk of our
body. The stomach contains the liver.
The stomach is south Of the lungs,
The stomach is south Of the lungs,
west of the liver. 1t has three coats.
Without the stomach we should die.
therefore God chose the stomach to
digest our food.-Woman' Home Com
panion.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

the 1910 Importation, at point Of export, was
over s12,5000OO, while in all probability the con-
suming public Of the United States expended
over S35, 100000 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-
Isumed over ss.OO0.000 worth, Germany, over
$1,00O,0O0, and France, s500,00O
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 as oats, almost three times as much per
acre as wheat and potatoes, and four times as
much as rye. The chemical composition OF ba-
hanas and potatoes is almost identical
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
The Real Thinq.

"Say, mister, if you throw three
cents up in the air kin ketch 'em
all before they come down every
time"
"Humph! That is nothing but a
catch-penny scheme"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
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
F1owery Kingdom, which, during
many centuries, has existed unto it
self. is awakening to the advantages
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
AND BILIOUS ATTACKS

HEADACHE AND BILIOUS ATTACKS
Caused by Malaria removed by the use
OF Elixir Babek cure for such ailments.
II have used Elixir Babek in my fam
lily for sixteen years and found 1T even
more than you claim for 1t in treating
cases of Chills or Malarial Fevers. One
member of our family was cured OF
Malarial Fever by it when given up to
die by physicians.-J. F. Oberlet Wen
ma, Va Elixir Babek so cents. all drug
gists or Kloczewski &c Co., Washington,
n
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

F you did not eat three dozen
bananas last .""r, you did not
have your share. Over 100000
900 punches, or more than
3,0O0,0O0,0OO 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
it 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
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
Faces Included

Howell-He has a weather-beaten
face.
Powell-Well, the weather beats
everything.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
SHAKE INTO YOUR SHOES

Aliens Foot-Ease, the antiseptic powder. It's the
greatest comfort discovery Of the age. Allen Foot
Hase makes tight or new shoes feel easy. 1t Is q
certain relief for sweating, calous, swollen, tired
aching feet. Alwaysuse 1t to Break in New shoes
Try 1t today. Sold everywhere, Is cents. Don't
accept any substitute. For FREE trial package,
nddress Allen s. Olmsted, Le Roy, N. Y.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

Mrs winslow's Soothing Syrup for Children
teething, softens the gums, reduces inhamma-
ton, allays pain, cures wind collie, 25c bottle.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

After girl has bumped up against
a case of unrequited love she begins
to dream Of career.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

A live goose is worth more than
dead ancestor.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

For HEADACHE-Micks, CAPUDINE
Whether from Colds, Heat, Stomach or
Nervous Troubles, Capudine will relieve You.
It's liquid-pleasant to take-acts immedi-
ately. Try it. 10c., 25c, and SO cents at drug
stores
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
For COINS and GRIP

For COLDS and GRIP
Hicks CAPUDNE is the best remedy-re-
lieyes the aching and feverishness-cures the
Cold and restores normal conditions It's
liauid-effects Immediately. 10c., 25c., and QUO
At drug stores.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23
Volunteer Cooks.

On camping trip Of young persons
two of the girls volunteered to get
breakfast the first morning while the
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-08-23

A Thirst for Information.
Say, pa?"
What Is it?"
who made the after-dinner
speeches at Belshazzar's feast?"
The daily Alaskan., 1911-05-27
TOWN TALK
Alaskan want ads for results

Alaskan want ads for results
 The Uces win go to Hanes a. 9 Ia m tomorrow
 The poIph.avtI arr.u in n". shortly after midnight.
 The Peterson arrived a. I..." .as morning and sailed a. a.a0 this aa teruooD
 LOST-Euaed of keys Tag with name j. N Tanner Return to Tam .ners store and receive r.warl
 The skagnay Baseball team wf so to HaInes tomorrow morning au 0, Hegg fJ the weather permits and win play a game with Port Seward In he afternoon
 The Sunday family dinner a. Che Puueu House is better than ever Why dout you try it. You are vel come
 Post Cards e'everly arranged in a wire card holder adds greatly to Che appearance ot the "de1 while Ka- dsk views arusueauv grouped in the same simple dgy.ge win often add charm to am otherwise uHstuaetiFa mall sDara Trar E1rra au4f mrrr and Tony D1r.ero has a E00dIT sup ply. u PILES CURED IN @ TO f4 DAYS. Your druggist will refund money fl PABO OINTMENT fails Co cure any caaF Of TtohInE. Blind, Bleeding or PIelrudinE Pies in to "A days soc.