242 THE BANANA 



been shipped exclusively to New Orleans and Mobile, but 

 an attempt is being made to establish a line between 

 Honduras, Colon, and Southampton, in order to supply the 

 British markets. The exports for 1911 were estimated z,t 

 6,500,000 bunches. 



MEXICO. The climatic conditions* of Southern Mexico 

 are admirably suited to banana cultivation, while the 

 various streams and small rivers that occur provide 

 facilities for transportation of the fruit to the coast. 

 Under these circumstances the Mexican banana industry 

 is becoming more important each year. 



The cost of land in the republic suitable for the cultiva- 

 tion is from 10 to 15 per acre, and it is stated that the 

 cost of clearing and making ready for planting amounts 

 to an additional 40 to 50 per acre. 



In growing bananas on the commercial scale, about 

 200 hills are allowed per acre, and there are four suckers 

 to each hill. It is arranged, however, that these suckers 

 are in different stages of development, the oldest bearing 

 fruit, and the youngest just coming forth from the ground 



In an article dealing with the whole question of banana 

 growing in Mexico that appeared in Tropical America, 

 there is given a tabular statement showing the average 

 yield and net profit obtained per acre by growers of the 

 fruit in the chief banana-producing countries. According 

 to this, a yield of 290 bunches per acre, giving a net profit 

 of $68-75, may be expected in Mexico. Honduras comes 

 second with a return of $66-84 per acre, while in Jamaica the 

 net profit from banana growing is placed at $58-97 per acre. 



In the district round Tampico, according to the British 

 Consult banana growing has proved a profitable industry, 

 and with a view to export, planters have imported suckers 

 from Jamaica in preference to cultivating native Mexican 

 kinds. 



The banana grows to great perfection in many parts. 

 In the state of Tabasco banana cultivation has assumed 

 considerable importance in recent years. There is a 



* Agric. News, 1908. f Report for 1907. 



