224 THE BANANA 



the coast, and the fruit is exported to Argentina. But 

 there is scarcely any fruit cultivated in the interior, 

 although both soil and climate are well adapted for fruit- 

 growing. 



There is an export of bananas from Santa Catharina. 

 In 1910, 744,152 bunches were exported, the value of which 

 to foreign countries was 1190 and to Brazilian States 

 336.* Also in 1910 there was an export from the port of 

 Sao Francisco do Sul, Santa Catharina, of 6000 bunches 

 to foreign and of 18,000 bunches to Brazilian States. 



In the State of Sao Paulo fruit cultivation is extending 

 rapidly, and bananas are largely exported. From the 

 port of Santos, Sao Paulo, the exports of bananas for 

 1908-10 were ; 



Bunches Value in Milreis f 



1908 . . . . 346,633 .. 272,015 



1909 .... 467,272 .. 362,889 



1910 .... 757,983 .. 637,752 



PARAGUAY. Planters in Paraguay have imported all 

 the Brazilian varieties, and ten years ago there were about 

 120,000 acres under cultivation. 



ARGENTINA AND CHILE. Bananas are grown in these 

 countries, but only in quantities sufficient for their own 

 consumption. 



PERU. The Peruvians use plantains like bread or 

 potatoes as the basis of their food-supply ; whereas the 

 Brazilians employ cassava in the same way. Plantains 

 are generally harvested when " full " only ; they are 

 boiled, which renders them mealy like potatoes, though a 

 little harder. They are also roasted, or made into flour 

 and mixed with butter. Sometimes they are allowed to 

 become quite ripe, and are then eaten as a fruit. Bananas 

 are not cultivated much at present, but there are several 

 well-known kinds, the best of which is the " Guinea/* 

 known to the Brazilians as " Banana de Sao Thom6." 



* These values seem too low ; they are quoted from Diplomatic and 

 Consular Reports, 



f Value of paper milreis, about 1*. 4^rf. ; of gold milreis, 2s. 3d. 



