281 
cut the stem which bore it is cut off level with the ground and a sucker, 
of which there are ego several in various stages of growth, is 
selected kic take its pla. 
* Travellers who ive tasted some of the best of the Kew-grow 
banii say that they are superior in flavour to what are obtainable in 
the tropics. 
Mr. George Wythes, gardener at Sion House, has lately given the 
darin of his experience in growing bananas, in the Garden, Vol. XLIV., 
pp. 496-497. One of the best sorts rééommended tó o grow for fruiting 
hoa is the Chinese banana . Cavendishit. own at 
fruit with an excellent flavour. e taller sorts are not in favour in 
conservatories as they take up too much room 
* When grown in a high temperature bedank require an abundance of 
moisture, Plants m may be fruited in 12 months if well cultivated and 
large suckers are planted in the first instance. They like good stout 
border is then cleared out and filled with new soil for subsequent 
planting.” 
The plantain is not usually grown under glass for the sake of its 
fruit. Should it be accidentally introduced and fruited it is regarded by 
those us acquainted with its merits as ied an inferior sort of senem 
and it is discarded. there were suc lant as a an 
yielding s a first-class fruit suitable for erts it would be very desirable 
to introduce it 
Diseases or PLANTAINS AND BANANAS, 
As a rule, both plantains and bananas are singularly free from disease. 
ing into account the immense areas over which these plants are 
cultivated, and Ae lengthened period during which they have been 
subject to the c ol of. man it is remarkable that no chronic disease 
has manifested itself amongst them except in one or two localities. 
Queensland.—Dr. Bancroft in vince tyoctigntan a eee in the 
neighbourhood of Brisbane. The plants were said to be Mus lata 
the figue mignonne of Mauritius die Bourboi, d the sugar 
banana,” possibly a form of M. sapientum. He found the roots affected 
1 39 
allied to the well-known paste eel Anguillula. He recommended as a 
remedy ‘ ploughing and summer fallow.” Of me T san ned has 
been heard of this disease. Nothing apparentl 
eee. the ground from time to time and Giang with healthy 
om unaffected districts. 
A fungus (Gleosporium Musarum, Cooke and Massee) affecting ripe 
Mr. 
bam in Queensland was forwarded to Kew by Baile ey, 
S. (No. 520). This disease is capable of i inis very rapidly on 
dg plan ts, and asa * black smut” it may be readily detected. The 
ri 
only effective Pagi is e derbe the plants ithinbdistely by burning 
or by the liberal use o 
Fiji.—In the Pee s ded for the year 1889 it was stated, “A 
disease has appeared among the banana plantations in these islands 
