276 
12 months, and the yield will vary considerably par ii to the 
oil. O 
nature of the . One field o acres gave in the 
second year a return of 2401. net, whilst cei rg of "E acres gave 
a net return of only 707." This disparity w 
to à 
original rd m the character of the soil zy 5 de “fact that the 
latter field had been already cultivated for some years previously, and 
the vegetable mould (so essential to the growth of the banana) had been 
ex suis 
In a note by Mr. sos Cork on banana cultivation, reproduced in 
the Bulletin of the Botanical Department, Jamaica (1893), 49, p. 2, 
it is stated that plants on are land that can be ploughed are put out at 
14 feet square; the rows are kept perfectly straight. The suckers 
ow 
intervals, from two to four months (according to the quality of the soil), 
all others are remove too many suckers are left the bunches take 
longer to to mature and hence the fruit will not be ready early in the 
sprin hen good prices are obtainable. The land requires to be 
weeded, ploughed, and harrowed seven times during the year, forked 
round the roots once a year, and have the redundant suckers removed 
bos few as they appear. The actual gross Pa on good land thus 
cultivated (with 339 stools to the acre) was 277. 1s. 3d. per acre. The 
cost of cultivation and delivery per acre was ol. 18s. Gd. The net 
rofit per acre was therefore 204. 2s. 9d. Forty acres of this. one in 
had been bearing since 1886 and were still in Gul ratio he 
and judicious management can do in the production of bananas in 
thoroughly suitable localities in Jamaica. 
In Trinidad Dr. de Verteuil says: 
“ The plantain requires a good deep soil and a sheltered position, 
being easily prostrated by strong winds. It is propagated by sprouts 
(improperly called slips) which are planted at 10 feet apart. From five 
A paimo walk" requires only occasional weeding and pruning." 
In British Honduras the cultivation of bananas and plantains has 
become an important industry. In fact the fruit exports are now 
almost two-thirds of those of the great staple industry of the colony— 
mahogany. Further it is stated (Kew Bulletin, 1894, p. 98) that 
*the one cheering fact in the agricultural condition of British 
Honduras at the present time is the gradual and steady E 
which has taken place during the last few years in the fruit trade 
In the early stages of EN enterprise the following rut were 
offered by Mr. Morris ony of British Honduras, pp. 92, 93) with 
* Owing to the regular fortnightly communication by mail reni 
between British Honduras and New Orleans, a large demand has arise 
for bananas, coco-nuts, oranges, pine-apples, A^ various other fruits for 
At 
the American market t present, next to sugar, bananas would appear 
to i gato occupying chief attention in the Nis. and provided a convenient 
and regular market is found for the aland planters have every 
prospect of finding the cultivation a profitable one 
