CHAP. II. DESSERT FRUITS. 177 



this they say takes away their flavour." Such too I should 

 certainly expect would be the result. The General moreover 

 adds : " When Pine -apples are gathered they should have their 

 crowns plucked out, which tends to ripen them quickly, and 

 then to increase their flavour ; as the crown draws its nourish- 

 ment at that time entirely from the fruit." 



Dr. Lindley states that Pine-apple plants "are capable of 

 existing in a dry, hot air, without contact^with the earth, on which 

 account they are favourites in South American gardens, where 

 they are suspended in the buildings or hung to the balustrades 

 of the balconies, situations in which they flower abundantly, 

 filling the air with fragrance."* I have never been able to 

 detect the slightest odour emitted from the plants when in 

 blossom in this country. Dr. Jameson states that " the Pine- 

 apple fruits occasionally at Saharunpore." It is, however, not 

 commonly met with in the North- West Provinces ; though with 

 proper management under glass there appears no reason why it 

 should not "be raised in as high perfection there as elsewhere. 



Plants are propagated most readily during the Rains by 

 striking suckers or the green crowns from the fruit in sand. 

 Dr. Lindley also remarks that, " instead of throwing away the 

 stump of a Pine-apple, it should be placed in a damp pit, when 

 the latent eyes will spring forth, and a crop of young plants be 

 the result." f 



MUSACE^. 

 Musa. 



PLANTAIN BANANA. 



Kela. 



By some the Plantain and Banana are considered as two 

 distinct species ; but it has now been decided to a certainty, I 

 believe, that the latter may be regarded as merely a variety of 

 M. sapientum. The name Banana is rarely, if ever, used in 

 this country ; but all kinds indiscriminately are termed 

 Plantains. Dr. Voigt says: "The numerous varieties of 

 Plantain we have in vain tried to put into some order." But 

 this is a matter of little importance to the horticulturist, as there 



* ' Vegetable Kingdom,' p. 147. t ' Theory of Horticulture,' p. 302. 



N 



