236 THE BANANA 



whole district or Santa Marta, including Rio Frio and 

 Fundcion, might possibly reach 50,000 acres, but it is very 

 deficient in transportation facilities, and these must be 

 provided before development can be brought about." 

 Since 1906, very great progress has been made in every 

 way, much of the available land has been planted and the 

 means of communication improved a railway having 

 been opened. 



During the year 1911 a steady advance was maintained, 

 22,000 acres being planted, and considerable irrigation 

 works being brought into operation. The steamers en- 

 gaged in this trade are of 5000 tons and specially built for 

 the purpose. The Santa Marta Railway, a British enter- 

 prise, is fifty-eight miles in length with some thirty miles 

 of branch lines for banana service, this fruit representing 

 about 80 per cent, of the traffic of the line. The number 

 of bunches exported in 1910 reached a total of 4,370,883, 

 and in 1911 of 4,901,894. The following table shows the 

 weight and value of bananas exported to United Kingdom 

 and United States during 1911 : 



Kilos. Value in 



United Kingdom . 54,083,722 .. 233,807 

 United States . . 56,270,592 .. 200,144 



Total . 110,354,314 .. 433,951 



