CULTIVATION OF SPECIES OF MUSA 259 



70 to 80. The plants can be either grown in large tubs 

 or in borders. The soil should consist of a good strong 

 loam with sufficient sand to keep it porous, and some coarse 

 bonemeal well mixed together. Plants grown in tubs 

 require an abundance of water and food as the banana is a 

 gross feeder. They need some kind of artificial manure 

 about every ten days, as soon as they become root-bound. 

 Water must be given in abundance at all stages of their 

 growth, otherwise the bunches of fruit will be stunted 

 and not set well. It usually takes from thirteen to fifteen 

 months from the rooted suckers before the inflorescence 

 begins to push from the centre of the plant. When the 

 bunches of fruit, which frequently weigh from 50 Ibs. to 

 70 Ibs., are forming, they will require supporting by cord 

 attached to the rafters, and another five months are 

 required to develop the fruits, making in all from eighteen 

 to twenty months before they are perfected. During the 

 last month it is advisable to limit the amount of manure 

 and water. As soon as the fruits turn yellow they should 

 be removed from the plant, otherwise the skins crack and 

 spoil the appearance. One large house would produce 

 fruits at all seasons, provided successional plants were 

 grown. A slight shading during the hottest weather is 

 better than excessive ventilation. The syringe must be 

 used frequently to keep red spider in check, but too much 

 water must not be allowed to reach the heart of the plants, 

 or the fruits will be liable to rot. Thrips sometimes attack 

 the plants and spoil the appearance of the fruits ; because 

 of this an occasional fumigation of the house is necessary." 



