182 THE BANANA 



for instance, yams three sets being planted between two 

 plantains. This kind of cultivation does not exhaust the 

 soil as in the case of cassava, and the cultivator can also 

 grow grain or peas without additional manuring. 



In Ceylon, Moon gives a list of forty-seven different 

 kinds of bananas, of which a few are said to be truly wild. 

 The cultivation is almost entirely in the hands of natives, 

 who grow them around their dwellings for shade as well as 

 for fruit. The area under cultivation is said to be not less 

 than 24,000 acres. The best variety is one called 

 " Suaandel " or " Suwandouli." 



Dye and Tan. The ashes of the plant and of the skin 

 of the fruit are used in India in dyeing. The sap contains 

 tannin, and is a fairly permanent, almost black stain on 

 cloth. 



Fibre. The fibre is in common use by the natives for 

 cordage, mats, and to some extent for paper. The dried 

 leaf -stalk is used for tying fences, &c., as a rough kind of 

 twine. 



Besides the fruit several other parts are used as food. 

 The flower-clusters of many kinds are cooked and eaten, 

 generally in curries. The flower-stalk before expansion 

 from the centre of the trunk is eaten, and is sold in Calcutta 

 to the amount of half a ton daily ; it is prepared for food 

 by boiling ; it is also given to cattle together with the 

 bulbs to increase the quantity of milk. 



Drying Bananas in India. -A special method of drying 

 bananas is reported from India * which is well worth the 

 attention of those who are interested in the question of the 

 best provision to be made against periodical times of 

 scarcity of food. The dried fruits could also be exported, 

 and all small bunches could be utilized in this way. 



A special kind of banana, called " Rajeli," is employed 

 for drying, the fruit of which is about 6 in. long. The 

 suckers are planted in October 6 ft. apart. Water is 

 given twice a week. When the suckers have begun to 

 grow they are manured with castor cake, and a second 

 * Agrio. Journ. of India, vi. 289 (1911). 



