277 
“ The profits on banana cultivation would appear to range from 127. to 
15l. per acre, after the lapse of 12 to 18 months. The cost of esta- 
blishing a plantation, including the price of land (at a dollar an acre) 
will not exceed some 87. to 127. per acre until the first crop is rea 
*'lhere are some imis of acres of splendid land suitable for 
banana culture in this — which offer every inducement to ex- 
rienced tropical planters to settle down and reap the returns which 
must inevitably attend the iei and careful culture of this fruit 
Practically, the export in bananas has only arisen since steam 
QUT in 
was 8,958 bunches of bananas, of the value of 7007.; in 1881 ^t had 
risen to 22,229 bunches, of the estimated value of 1 ,4691." 
[It has since T large and increasing proportions, and the annual 
value now is not less 40,0007, | 
A later account, written from personal experience, of banana planting 
in British Tionddrex, was contributed to the Demerara Ar 'gosy by Mr. 
i iepen. Th 
largest suckers only are used and care taken not to injure the eyes 
When suckers are produced allexcept two or three of the strongest 
w cut e used, tin 
them down bleeds them, and consequently takes pate the strength 
of those left.’ 
Reaping: The bunches should be left on the trees, if pans 
until the day before shipping. During the cooler months, November 
to April, the bananas are cut much fuller than during the hot cubo 
* Fruit cut too full in the summer does not last the four days’ voyage 
i time 
the 
Ai After the ea is eut the planter may with safety expect two or 
more bunches from shoots on the same stool during the next nine 
months." Each bunch may weigh from 30 to 90 pounds 
eplanting : Unless the banana plant xd requis to shade other 
plants the fields should be re-planted every 
otection from wind: High winds are dn njurious to banana crops. 
Hence cultivators should leave a vens of forest ed under-bush to protect 
the plantation on the north and east. Stems with large bunches should 
be supported by sticks or bamboos. 
Maias ng the fruit: bag is the best market time for bananas 
e United States, the fruit keeps longer in good condition for the 
indo and subsequent handling on land. In order to obtain fruit 
in December the grower should plant at the end of November, 
that is, 12 to 13 months previously. The months of June, July, 
August, and September are the worst for shipping bananas. In British 
Honduras the contractors pay 50 cents, Belize currency, equal 
about 1s. 6d. for bunches of eight hands and upwards, and half that price 
for bunches under eight hands; bunches of six hands are very seldom 
saleable. 
The United States Consul at Belize in 1893 reported: “ The capital 
required to start a fruit plantation is comparatively small, and, the 
u 82629. p 
