224 CULTIVATION OF THE BANANA. 



Their subsequent management should be as follows, viz., the 

 border to be kept constantly heated from the beginning of March 

 to the end cf September to a temperature of 78°, 95°, 85°, 

 increasing and decreasing gradually as the seasons advance and 

 decline, adhering to the maximum through May, June, July, and 

 August. 



The atmospheric temperature in the day must be kept up to 

 78°, and may rise to any natural degree without harm, but that 

 of the night must be kept down to 72° or 70° by a free admission 

 of air. Keep the soil moderately damp only, never approaching 

 to wet, but leaning rather to the other extreme, and, above all 

 things, avoid creating any artificial moisture in the atmosphere. 



The above instructions relate to the growing season, viz., from 

 the beginning of March to the end of September, during which 

 period the requisite temperature may be maintained with a very 

 trifling amount of fuel. 



From September to March the plants must be rested by lower- 

 ing the temperature, which must now rapidly decline from that 

 of the summer to — Atmosphere, 68° by day, 59° by night ; Soil, 

 70° to 68°. The atmospheric temperature may, I have reason to 

 believe, fall considerably below 59° without injury, though the 

 roots can only be kept in health by maintaining the requisite 

 bottom heat. 



In the fine weather of summer give as much air as possible, 

 opening not only all the side sashes but those of the roof also, by 

 folding up the sashes ; and, indeed, if it were practicable to 

 remove the house entirely, the plants would probably succeed 

 all the better. 



When, in fine weather, cold currents of air prevail, open the 

 sashes of the roof only. In winter give air as abundantly as is 

 consistent with the maintenance of the proper temperature, and 

 remember above all things to avoid wet both in the atmosphere and 

 soil. 



Under this system of management the plants may be expected 

 to fruit in the second summer after planting, though it is not 

 unlikely but some may do so in the first. 



Their further management will be the same as I have described 

 above, viz., cutting down the trees when the fruit is ripe, and 

 training up a young sucker in its place, &c. 



