258 THE BANANA 



also afford a ready method of increase. The plants are 

 sometimes cultivated for their fruits, but not extensively, 

 on account of the great space and the amount of heat 

 required. M. Cavendishii is the most compact -growing 

 species for this purpose, and the one which is perhaps the 

 most certain to succeed. Strong suckers must be obtained 

 to start with, and grown on in pots until established. 

 They should then be planted in a prepared bed of very 

 rich soil, and encouraged to grow vigorously by maintaining 

 a high temperature and humid atmosphere. The time 

 taken in growing plants to fruiting size varies considerably 

 according to the treatment given in cultivation." 



A writer in Gardeners' Chronicle gives his experience as 

 follows : 



" There are few plants of so noble an appearance as the 

 Musa, the massive leaves being almost unequalled for 

 size in the vegetable kingdom. A stately plant of banana 

 has few rivals for effect in the sub -tropical garden, and 

 specimens are cultivated in many gardens in temperate 

 climates for associating with palms and other fine-leaved 

 exotics in the ornamental grounds in summer-time. 

 Banana fruits are now imported in such great numbers 

 that they form one of the most popular of fruits, not 

 excepting the apple or the orange. But few have enjoyed 

 the exquisite flavour and soft melting flesh of a hothouse- 

 grown specimen, as it is only occasionally that bananas 

 are grown for their fruits which can be had in perfection 

 at any season of the year. A home-grown banana is a 

 useful addition to the rather limited number of dessert 

 fruits obtainable during the early months of the year, and 

 is to be preferred to a second-rate peach, nectarine, or 

 pear. When grown under suitable conditions and properly 

 matured on the plant, they are far superior to the imported 

 fruits. The Chinese banana, Musa Cavendishii, is the best 

 for fruiting purposes. A glasshouse with an internal height 

 of about 12 ft. will accommodate the tallest plants of this 

 species. The temperature of the house in winter should 

 be maintained at 60 to 70, and in summer-time from 



