9 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



loam, 1 peck of horse-droppings, \ peck of wood ashes, and a small handful of common 

 salt, mixed, make an excellent surface-dressing for bananas. 



Moisture. The banana luxuriates in a genial atmosphere, and suffers from checks. 

 Syringe the plants every afternoon during the growing season, and damp the walls, floors, 

 and beds, when they become dry from February to September, inclusive, using clear 

 liquid manure occasionally in the evening. Sufficient moisture is afforded during the 

 winter months by damping in the morning and early afternoon, but action must be guided 

 by the weather, and in very severe weather moisture should be withheld. When the 

 plant thickens in the centre syringing must cease, for water entering the " heart " 

 causes the young fruit to decay. 



Temperature. A long season of growth is important. The growing period should 

 commence in mid- February, with 60 to 65 at night, 70 to 75 by day artificially, 

 keeping through the day at 80 to 85 from sun heat, closing early so as to raise the heat 

 to 90 or more on fine afternoons. From May to September 65 at night should be 

 the minimum, 70 to 75 on dull days; 80 to 85 or 90 with sun heat and ventila- 

 tion, closing early with plenty of moisture so as to increase to 90 or 100. From 

 September to mid- February the temperature may be 60 to 65 at night in mild weather, 

 5 less in severe weather, and 70 to 75 by day when mild or a little sun prevails. The 

 temperatures named suit M. Cavendishi, but M. sapientum varieties require 5 to 10 

 more heat. 



Ventilation. Effect a change of atmosphere on every favourable opportunity; in 

 winter by admitting a little air between 70 and 75, without lowering the temperature, 

 closing at 75; in summer by ventilating in tho morning slightly, between 70 and 75, 

 freely between 80 and 85. Close early ; in spring, soon after midday, in summer 

 about 4 P.M., or earlier, according to the weather. A chink of air at night allows 

 the pent-up moisture to escape, also prevents drip and the deposition of moisture on the 

 foliage in the early part of the day, which is prolific of scorching. 



Fruiting and Perfecting. When the bunch of fruit appears, let it be exposed to the 

 sun by drawing the leaves aside, and, when the plants are at a good distance from the 

 glass, it may be necessary to remove some of the leaves. When the fruit is set and fairly 

 swelling, the barren end may be cut off to assist the growth, and it is said to prevent an 

 excess of alkali in the fruits. In the West Indies the barren end is cut off when the 

 cluster is gathered, and taken into the house to ripen. This practice of cutting in 

 advance of ripening is not advisable here, as the richest-flavoured fruits are those 



