The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-29

coast line. for the banana In one of
the thirstiest OF plans, and cannot be
expected to produce its maximum in
tho districts where there are less III an
/ one hundred inches OF annual rain
/ fall
! The banana has a methof propaga-
ton. for before the parent stalk and
fruit have matured new ones spring
up, These are offshoots that grow
from the root of the original plant,
resembling the sprouts from the
eyes" OF a potato, and each In turn
becomes a parent stalk with its fruit.
1t follows that unless most Of the
constantly appearing new plants are
cut out (which is the practice) the
first stalk in a few years will become
the center of small Jungle. The
plants grow TO a height of from IF
teen to thirty-five feet, spreading in
all directions. until the soil is over
hurdened with a mass OF stalk and
leaf growth and stunted fruit is pro-
duced.
The plant will grow with wonderful
rapidly under favorable circum-
stances. within a period Of six or
seven weeks the two or three foot
plant VIII more than double in size.
and a month or so later, the leaves
cease to unfold and spike appears
out Of the center of the crown. This
Is the future stalk of the bunch and
carries huge red blossom at the end.
1t develops rapidly. bending more and
moro until IL has completely turned
upon itself. 80 that the bananas grow
end up. or In n position tho reverse OF
that in which they are seen when
twelve months after the blossom ap-
pears tho fruit Is ready for the gath
o-eT.
Four Suckers to HILL
In cultivation. four suckers. or
shoots. are usually allowed to grow
in one hill, and their graduation IS SO
arranged that while the oldest is
bearing fruit the next IL in blossom
the third IL half grown, and the last
is just coming up from the ground
/ The plantation yields a continuous
harvest for years without replanting
In planting for the market about two
hundred hills are allowed to the acre
Sontimes tho number liz increased to
two hundred and twenty-five, having
nine hundred stalks. yieldiR about
three hundred marketable punches a
year. 1t IS said that the cost of pro-
duction Of lunches that sell for thirty
cents is about from ten to fifteen
cents. the average profit per acre be-
ing about $50 annually.
In 1899 banana trading was organ
tied on modern commercial lines
over one nundred and nfty vessels
have since been built for this trade
and are plying between American
ports and the tropical fruit belt,
/ Wireless telegraph stations along the
/ Central American coast keep In touch
! with the banana fleet that is moving
lin a steady procession up and down
the Caribbean. When a steamer starts
from n United States port to secure
its cargo "A cable is sent notifying the
-g4Vsz a fnv ha ~saf fY3pr AF
the crop. About thirty-six houre be-
fore the expected arrival OF the YES
sci the orders are sent to the planta-
tons. notifying them to cut fruit for
delivery on the specified date. The
day before the steamer is due trains
are made up at the fruit ports and
sent out TO pick UP the fruit, these
trains being 50 timed that steamers
Will not be delayed waiting fer car
go. On the morning Of the cutting
the first out On the plantation are the
cutters" who so up and down the
! long avenues of banana plants armed