PRUNING LEAVES 43 



traced to leaving most of the peepers on the stump instead 

 of on the maiden sucker followers, as the operation of 

 sucker ing was just proceeding, and the same system had 

 been practised to produce the crop in sight.'* 



PRUNING LEAVES 



As the first leaves decay, they hang down all round, 

 protecting the stem from the full glare of the sun. If they 

 are cut away, the sheathing leaf stalks, which form the 

 outside of the trunk, dry up and do not perform their 

 proper functions. It is well to leave them, even in the 

 shade of a banana walk, unless it happens that the plants 

 are clustered closely together, when too much shade causes 

 the stem to lengthen out and become weak and brittle. 

 In such a case some of the dead hanging leaves may be 

 pruned away. The hanging dead leaves must not be 

 allowed to trail on the ground, as they encourage the 

 production of roots coming to the surface, which are killed 

 in dry weather, unless green mulching is practised. Some 

 planters prune away even some of the living green leaves, 

 but this cannot be recommended, as it interferes with the 

 food supply. If, however, a leaf is seen to be growing 

 through a bunch, and as it would, if left, cause some 

 deformity or discoloration of the fruit, it is carefully 

 removed from its position with the pruning tool. This 

 tool is a semicircular instrument mounted on a long 

 handle, with the convex side uppermost. 



