io6 TRUCK FARMING 



show. 'These are greatly superior to the half-grown green picked 

 article usually imported from other tropical countries. If well 

 grown, they will readily sell for two or three cents per pound 

 in the wholesale markets. If well taken care of, as far as cul- 

 tivation is concerned, with three or four applications each year 

 of fertilizer,* say 800 pounds per application, they should produce 

 not less than 1,200 bunches per acre, weighing from forty to 

 sixty pounds or more per bunch. 



The quantity of bananas consumed throughout the United 

 States is something enormous, being the only fruit that is fresh 

 on the market the year around. I have found upon inquiry that 

 an average of twenty-seven carloads of bananas are consumed 

 per day in the city of Chicago and suburbs alone. 



The quality of our southern Florida banana should in a short 

 time become known throughout the country, for if they are picked 

 after they have begun to show color, the flavor will be greatly 

 superior to the foreign article. Aside from the price obtained 

 from the fruit, a great many slips or suckers can often be sold 

 for remunerative prices, forming an additional revenue. 



As they are of very rank growth, they should be kept well 

 irrigated; in fact, the best bananas are grown upon such soils 

 as are located only slightly above the general water level, the 

 roots having at all times easy access to the moisture. 



There are other great possibilities in connection with banana 

 culture, as the stems of the plant have a very tough fiber and 

 my impression is that a very good quality of hemp could be 

 derived therefrom. 



A variety locally known as the horse banana is used through- 

 out the South and is much relished. It is fried and served as 

 banana fritters and is certainly much superior to fried potatoes. 



See last part of Chapter VI. 



