BANANAS PLANTING AND FEEDING. 97 



cannot be over-drained, therefore provide 3-inch pipes to carry off surplus water, and 

 place over them 1 foot in depth of rubble, which cover with a 3-inch layer of clean 

 gravel or old mortar rubbish, and a layer of turves. The depth of soil may be 2 feet 

 or more, but a large quantity to begin with is objectionable. Narrow beds, extending 

 the area as the roots spread, are best, for the plants revel in sweet, friable compost, and 

 like it fresh. Always afford fresh soil, removing every particle of the old, for young 

 plants. If care be taken in clearing out old beds, the drainage will remain effective 

 indefinitely. 



Planting. Old, stunted, starved plants are worthless. Healthy plants, 2 to 3 feet 

 high, with good leaves, only are suitable, and they should be sturdy and well rooted. 

 The middle of February is a good time to put out young plants, also to renew the soil 

 amongst the roots of plants in pots, tubs, or narrow borders. Planting is often delayed 

 until March or April through the backwardness of the suckers, and plants can be put 

 out whenever vacancies occur for maintaining a succession of fruit throughout the 

 year. 



Feeding. Indulgence in stimulants to the extent of inducing grossness is not 

 advisable, yet plants in pots and tubs must be encouraged to develop and store in the 

 growth abundant matter for the formation of fine clusters; therefore supply liquid 

 manure to plants having filled the alloted area with roots, and, after the fruit is set, it 

 can hardly be given too copiously. Weak and clear liquids only should be used, say, 

 guano, 1 pound, to 20 gallons of water ; soot, 1 peck, to 100 gallons of water ; fresh 

 cow-dung, 1 peck, to 20 gallons of water ; and sheep -droppings, 1 peck, to 30 gallons of 

 water ; place each ingredient in a sack, and immerse it in a barrel of water, using the 

 liquid clear. Stable and cow-house drainings diluted when pure with six times the bulk 

 of water are excellent. Sulphate of ammonia and nitrates of potash and soda may be 

 supplied at the rate of ounce per gallon of water. All the stimulants named, but only 

 one at a time, may be used at every alternate watering, except the last three, when once 

 a week will suffice. When the fruits are ripening, clear water only should be used. 



Surface Dressings. The banana, being a gross feeder, delights in a rich mulch. 

 Plants in pots and tubs need top-dressing when they fill them with roots, repeating it at 

 monthly intervals. Between each dressing apply fish manure; or superphosphate, 3 

 parts, nitrate of potash, 1 part, at the rate of 2 ounces per square yard, affording a 

 good watering after the dressing. Plants in boarders may not need fresh soil till the fruit 

 IB set, then afford them a dressing, and renew as the roots protrude. One bushel of turfy 



VOL. II. O 



