432 [ THE BANANA. 



percentage of phosphates which are supplemented by the 

 phosphatic salts contained in the organic manures, but it 

 has been shown by experience that the use of phosphatic 

 manures at the rate of one kilo per plant given in June 

 or July promotes a vigorous growth. Where the soil has 

 had a good dressing of farmyard manure the use of nitro- 

 genous manures will not be necessary, but a deficiency of 

 organic manure may be made good by the use of nitro- 

 genous manures at the rate of \ to i kilo according to 

 their nitrogen value, as a surface dressing in summer 

 immediately before watering. 



Whenever there is a deficiency of potash in the soil 

 the vegetation may appear normal but the bunches will 

 fail to form or are formed very irregularly. This 

 deficiency should be corrected at once by a supply of 

 wood ashes or of potassic manures such as chloride of 

 potash or kainit at the rate of i kilo per plant, giving 

 at first -^ kilo in spring and another \ kilo in summer. 

 '1 he yellowish or sickly colour of the foliage may be due 

 to cold weather or to a deficiency of moisture in the soil, 

 and if it is observed in summer and cannot be ascribed 

 to want of water then it is certain that the soil is deficient 

 in nitrogen, and it will be necessary to give at once a 

 liberal dressing of farmyard manure or to make use of 

 the nitrogenous fertilizers above mentioned. 



Irrigation is by far the most important cultural 

 requirement of the banana, and before attempting to 

 grow this plant the grower should be sure that he can 

 obtain an adequate supply of water for his plantation. 

 In the second or in the third year the plant of the 

 banana will have reached its full development with seve- 

 ral large suckers, and will then require its full allowance 

 of water. Watering is done every ten days in April and 

 May, at first lightly and afterwards more liberally. 

 From June to August the plantation should be watered 

 every week, and again every ten days from September 



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