222 THE BANANA 



renewal ; whilst, on the contrary, the Massaos, always in 

 full vigour, will still continue during several years to give 

 the same product. It appears therefore, at first view, 

 that between the two species there can be no hesitation 

 which to plant, and that it is necessary to plant the 

 Massao in preference to the Catura. Unfortunately every 

 medal has its reverse, and if on one part the culture on a 

 large scale is incontestably more profitable than that of 

 the Catura, there is room to state, on the other hand, that 

 fine and productive plantations of Massaos are very far 

 from being made everywhere, and that, on the contrary, 

 this banana requires in order to succeed conditions of soil 

 and of situation which it is not easy to find co vibined 

 together. 



" I have already stated the requirements of the Massao 

 relative to the nature and the quality of the soil ; but 

 besides, as there is the grave defect of badly resisting the 

 action of the wind, it can only be cultivated in sufficiently 

 sheltered places, without which the risk is run of high 

 winds causing great damage in the plantations. The 

 Catura, on the contrary, thanks to its short stature, 

 resists all winds ; and if its duration is not so long as that 

 of the Massao, as a compensation it contents itself in soils 

 in which the Massao would give no crop. 



" The fruit of the Massao is of medium size. A bunch 

 weighing from 26 to 33 Ibs. is made up of six to seven 

 hands, and bears about one hundred fruits. The fruit is 

 excellent, its flesh tender, buttered, sugared, and deliciously 

 perfumed ; the bananas which we see in Europe, pro- 

 duced by the Chinese banana, cannot be compared with a 

 good Massao banana, taken when perfectly ripe. Un- 

 fortunately, the Massao banana, more delicate, bears 

 carriage less easily than the Catura banana. Nevertheless, 

 the Argentine steamers load great quantities in the bay of 

 Paranagua, to carry them to Buenos Ayres, where they 

 are much appreciated." 



" Bananas and plantains * grow from Amazonas to Rio 

 * " Brazil in 1911." By J. C. Oakenfull. 1912. 



