DEVELOPMENT OF THE BANANA TRADE 161 



Messrs. Elders and Fyffes' fleet now numbers sixteen 

 large vessels, all similarly fitted, and having an aggregate 

 cooling capacity of about 1,000,000 bunches. 



The imports of bananas into the United Kingdom were 

 about 10,000 bunches in 1884, 1,500,000 bunches in 1901, 

 while for 1912 (to September 30) the total amounted to 

 6,833,625 bunches, imported from different countries as 

 follows : 



Elders and Fyffes : 



From Costa Rica . . 2,481,855 



Colombia . . . 2,709,137 



Jamaica . . . 150,678 



Canary Islands . . 638,652 



Other companies : 

 From Canary Islands . . 853,403 



Messrs. Elders and Fyffes have established large depots 

 and stores in the majority of the large towns in the United 

 Kingdom, from which they supply small retailers not only 

 in large towns but in many remote villages. 



A few words must be said here about some other steam- 

 ship lines carrying bananas. 



The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company have (a) a 

 steamer arriving in London every fortnight bringing as 

 part of her cargo bananas from the Canary Islands. This 

 being only a short passage, no arrangements of an artificial 

 character are made for preserving the fruit on the voyage. 



(b) A mail steamer arrives at Southampton every fortnight 

 which brings, amongst other cargo, bananas from the West 

 Indian Islands. Some of these steamers are fitted with 

 chambers kept cool and fresh by a system of fans and air- 

 shafts. Others have insulated and refrigerated holds 

 wherein the fruit is stowed at a suitable temperature. 



(c) The steamers mentioned in (b) in the course of their 

 voyages also carry bananas in considerable quantities 

 from Jamaica to New York. 



