740 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. 



is done to the suckers if tiiey remain much longer than the two hours in the 

 solution. Indeed, a grower may di;;; the holes for a batch of suckers while 

 soaking, and then remove and plant them wliile the next batch is soaking in 

 its turn, even so long as overnight for next morning's planting. 



Planting Suckers too Close. 



One of the common errors of banana growers in this State is to plant too 

 close. In Queensland the distance apart that is generally accepted is 12 feet 

 bv 1 2 feet — a method that allows of a citrus orchard being established on the 

 same ground at the same time, with the trees 24 feet by 24 feet apart. 

 Under the conditions obtaining in this State, howe,ver, the districts in which 

 bananas are grown have not so far proved suitable for citrus, and this has 

 permitted the space to be reduced ap()reciably. The system of leasehold 

 tenure has acted in the same direction, it being necessary for the tenant to 

 get as much as possible out of his ground during the short currency of hi.s 

 lease. Moreover, close planting means less weeding, and consequently less 

 expense in cultivation, for the leaves cover the ground, shutting out the light 

 and smothering the weeds. 



The grower must take into account, on the other hand, the fact that close 

 planting tends to make the plant grow abnormally tall and to become brittle, 

 with the result that the bunches drop off before they have matui'ed. 

 Further, too dense a shade during humid spring weather favours the develop- 

 ment of fungus troubles of different kinds, such, for instance, as" cigar-end," 

 a diseased condition that is more prevalent here than in Queensland. 



On the whole, 11 feet by 11 feet may be considered a happy medium in 

 New South Wales ; 10 feet by 12 feet gives greater convenience, perhaps, in 

 cultivation where horse implements can be used. 



To the care exercised by Queensland growers in the establishment of their 

 plantations must be attributed the long life that is common there ; cases are 

 well knovvn in that State of plantations twenty to thirty years old that are 

 still productive, though never replanted. There is no reason why, with 

 good cultivation and attention, they should not live to a good age here also. 



Depth of Planting. 

 Many mistakes have been made in this important matter. The grower 

 should recognise that the habit of the banana is to send out roots at a uniforjn 

 depth of 3 inches below the soil level. This is a fact the importance of 

 which has to be recognised. Whether the hulb is large or small, whether it 

 has been planted deep or shallow, its natural tendency is to throw out its 

 roots at tliat depth. Its signilicance lies just here — the grower should plant 

 his suckers with only 3 inches of soil above the top of the bulb. In other 

 worfls, a sucker with a 3-inch l)ull) will be planted 6 inches deep, and one 

 with a 12-inch bulb will be planted 15 inches deep. Where obedience to 

 this method means that the hole cannot be filled in it should be " dished 

 off," so that it may be filled in gradually by cultivation, rain, itc, after the 

 roots have developed at the right point. 



