AFRICA 211 



of sugar, poor in flavour and aroma, and with rudimentary 

 seeds in it. It is only good when cooked ; it is cheap and 

 in small demand. The plant, however, is very decorative 

 and is often planted as such in gardens. 



" Banana cultivation is one of the most productive 

 exploitations in Egypt, though at present it is almost 

 entirely confined to gardens. Sufficient bananas are not 

 cultivated to supply the Egyptian market, and large 

 amounts are imported from Madeira and the Canary 

 Islands. The best size of suckers for propagation are from 

 3 to 5 ft. long, according to the variety ; they should be 

 thick and vigorous, taken from healthy stocks, producing 

 superior fruit and coming early in season. The holes for 

 planting out are dug along an irrigation trench to a depth 

 of about 1J ft., the bottoms well pulverized and dressed 

 with well -rotted farmyard manure. The most favourable 

 time for planting is from about the middle of February 

 till the end of March. Whilst the plant is young, all the 

 suckers except one should be cut away ; thus all the vigour 

 of the plant is thrown into the fruiting of the first stem, 

 and in this way fine large bunches can be reckoned on. 

 Afterwards when the stool has matured, three or four stems 

 only may be allowed to grow, according to the vigour of the 

 stool. An application of water is given immediately after 

 planting, and then at short intervals till the plants are 

 well rooted. Water is then wanted less often, and when 

 the plants are fruiting, especially towards the end of the 

 ripening process, it will be advisable to give water at longer 

 intervals, as too much water at this time is disadvantageous. 

 The fruit is cut about eight or ten days before it is ripe, 

 when it begins to turn somewhat yellow. If left to ripen 

 on the tree, it loses much of its flavour, often rotting. If 

 cut when nearly ripe, the fruit is carefully hung in a dry 

 place, but if cut earlier it is placed between layers of straw, 

 and sometimes weighted, where it will become ripe, mellow, 

 and acquire its saccharine flavour and fragrancy." 



A writer in the Gardeners' Chronicle (July 1907) gives 

 the following particulars : " Growers of bananas rarely 



