97 

 so planted should "be in a full open sunshine. The small 

 plants from root cuttings should not be allowed to remain on 

 the original bed longer than is necessary to mature one or two 

 leaves, as that treatment would stunt them« The textile and 

 ornamental species, also, may be increased by the above pro- 

 cess, but as these species usually produce seeds freelj'', 

 seedlings can be more quickly grown and with less trouble. The 

 seeds of banana should be sown as fresh as possible, treating 

 them the same as recommended for root cuttings. As soon as 

 the seedlings show their first leaves, they should be trans- 

 planted into wellprepared beds of rich, moist soil. Both 

 seedlings and root cuttings should have proper transplanting, 

 sufficient room and rich soil, as a rapid, unchecked growth 

 gives the best and quickest results. 



The cultivation of bananas for fruit is carried on very 

 extensively in all +ropical countries. In the West Indies, 

 Central America and MexicOi, they are raised for export to the 

 United States and Canada, The site selected is usually a 

 level plain in the lowlands, near the coast, or in valleys 

 among the hills, where the rainfall or artificial moisture is 

 sxifficient. The variety most commonly grown at present is the 

 Martinique having large bunches, with long, yellow fruit. The 

 Red Jamaica is more sparingly grown now than formerly, and its 

 dark red fruits of largest size are not commonly exported, 

 i'or distant shipping, bunches of fruit are cut with "raatchets" 

 ' or knives, after they reach their full size and are almost 



