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fifty fruit, cind will often weigh over one hundred pounds. The largest 

 number of fruits upon the bunches is obtained from the Chinese Banana, 

 (M'isa Cavendishii), a distinct species. This species is also known 

 variously as if. Chinensis, M. Nana. and M. Begia. The fruit of the 

 Banana is highly nutritive, and is a staple food in most tropical countries. 

 Bananas are also highly appreciated as a dessert fruit in countries where 

 there is no occasion to depend upon them as food. In India, and other 

 countries, the fruit is largely used when cooked, in various forms as well 

 as in a fresh state. The pulp is also used in the same way as butter 

 when spread upon bread. Bananas are to some extent utilised in India 

 and China when dried, and if properly prepared they can be kept in 

 good condition for several years. The ordinary mode of drying is to 

 remove the skins and expose the fruit on boards or mats to the full power 

 of the sun, taking care to turn it every day till the process is complete. 

 As in drying other fruit, care must be taken that the Bananas are not 

 exposed to rain or dew during the process. When the fruit is thoroughly 

 dry it should be packed firmly in regular layers in small boxes or jars till 

 required for use. If large quantities of fruit have to be dried it may be 

 an advantage to employ artificial heat with an evaporator, as by this 

 means the work can be done more expeditiously. Fruit of the Banana 

 can be turned to account in the form of meal or flour which is very 

 palatable, easy of digestion, and an excellent food for invalids or infants. It 

 also makes palatable puddings and custards, and is considered to be very 

 nourishing. Meal is prepared by slicing and drying, and afterwards 

 grinding the fruit. This meal if carefully prepared can be kept for a 

 long period in close jars or boxes. The fruit by fermentation and 

 pressure will yield a palatable wine, and by distillation a strong and 

 excellent spirit can be obtained. 



CULTIVATION. 



The Banana flourishes to perfection in tropical and sub-tropical regions, 

 and will be a profitable fruit to grow in those portions of Australia 

 embraced by those terms. But it is more hardy than many other 

 tropical plants, and may be grown successfully in the warmer 

 portions of the temperate zone. The Banana delights in a rich deep 

 soil, and is specially well adapted for alluvial land, bordering rivers 

 or creeks. If the land is not naturally rich it should be made so, by 

 the free use of manure. In preparing 1 the ground it should be stirred 

 to the depth of at least eighteen inches, so that the plants will have 

 plenty of root room. If necessary, provision must also be made for 

 drainage, as though the banana requires a fairly moist soil, yet it will 

 not thrive when water is stagnating at its roots. Shelter is an 

 important matter in the cultivation of Bananas, as the plants suffer 

 severely when exposed to strong winds. If no natural shelter exists 

 it must be provided by planting dense break-winds of suitable trees. 

 Plantations of Bananas may be made at any time, but the most 

 favourable periods are September and March or April. In order to 

 give the plants ample room for development, and allow space for 



