l86 TlMEHRI. 



i. That Bananas are usually planted 12 feet apart, 300 plants to an 

 acre. 



2. That they take on an average 12 months to mature. 

 3 That the loss from various causes is about 20 per cent. 



4. Not more than 60 per cent bear 8 hands and over, 40 per cent, 

 under 8 hands. 



5. Bananas mature at all seasons of the year. 



6. That the average cost, taking 5 years, is from $40 to $45 per acre. 



7. Transportation and Freight from 1 cent to 2 cents per bunch, 

 Demerara River, but by Rail or Steamer from 4 to 5 cents per bunch. 



8. Bananas would pay all round, large or small bunches, at 25 cents 

 per bunch. 



9. Bananas would keep from 8 to 10 days ; but no actual experi- 

 ments were quoted by any of the correspondents. 



After considerable discussion the following resolutions were carried : — 



" That it is the opinion of this Committee that Bananas cannot be 

 profitably grown at the prices offered by Mr. Rogers." 



" That the minimum price fixed by any contract should be equal 

 to the cost of production, plus amount of subsidy paid." 



In addition to these matters, your Committee have considered the 

 present arrangements of the departure of the Royal Mail Steamers, 

 have issued the usual Prices Current, and, in connection with the 

 recent disturbances in this city, waited upon His Excellency and 

 pointed out the great loss the Mercantile community has sustained, 

 urging prompt and immediate aftion in suppressing the same. 



The question of forming a Chamber of Commerce has been brought 

 up and will be reported on in our next. 



WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, 



Hon. Secretary. 



Captain White's Replies* 



1. The plants should be 8 feet apart, and there will be 400 to the acre, 

 but if 12 feet apart, two suckers can be planted in each hole. This will 

 give over 400 plants ; and most people favour this way of planting, it 

 being specially adapted both to our soil and climate. 



2. 11 to 12 months. 



* The answers to most of these questions are framed from information 

 received from Farmers and Planters in the last two years. 



