IX 



COCOA-GROWING COUNTRIES 447 



planted between them, and, where it seemed neces- 

 sary, the easily growing apple-banana or fig-banana was 

 planted as temporary shade. 



Plantain-growing, however, is no longer so paying as 

 it was some years ago. The number of small proprietors 

 has increased, and the plantains are no longer so scarce. 

 Besides, the people are gradually using more rice for 

 their food. Now not more than 15 cents (3d.) is paid 

 for a bunch of plantains. 



FIG. 131. Young cocoa under temporary shade of plantains. 



The field belongs to a small proprietor ; the shade is rather dense ; fruit trees have been 



interplanted. 



At the present time the banana is more used for 

 temporary shade than before. Since 1906 the " Gros 

 Michel " or " Jamaica variety " has been grown for export 

 of the fruits. This makes banana-growing more paying 

 than it was formerly when the fruits had practically very 

 little value, being only saleable on the local market 

 (Fig. 132). 1 



1 Since this chapter was written the banana industry has met with much 

 difficulty in Surinam, in consequence of the so-called "Panama disease." At 

 present (January 1914) there is no export of bananas of any importance. 



