48 



12 months, and the yield will vary considerably according to the 



nature of the soil One field of 10 acres gave in the 



second year a return of 240Z. net, whilst another field of 18 acres gave 

 a net return of only 70/." This disparity was due, not only to an 

 original difference in the character of the soil but to the 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 

 exhausted. 



In a note by Mr. Henry Cork on banana cultivation, reproduced in 

 the Bulletin of the Botanical Department, Jamaica (1893), 49, p. 2, 

 it is stated that plants on level land that can be ploughed are put out at 

 14 feet square ; the rows are kept perfectly straight. The suckers 

 allowed to remain for future crops are carefully selected at regular 

 intervals, from two to four months (according to the quality of the soil), 

 all others are removed. If too many suckers are left the bunches take 

 longer to mature and hence the fruit will not be ready early in the 

 spring when 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 

 regularly as they appear. The actual gross returns on good land thus 

 cultivated (with 339 stools to the acre) was 271. Is. 3d. per acre. The 

 cost of cultivation and delivery per acre was 61. 18s. 6d. The net 

 profit per acre was therefore 201. 2s. 9d. Forty acres of this estate 

 had been bearing since 1886 and were still in cultivation. The net 

 profit realised on the particular estate above mentioned was probably 

 exceptional. On the other hand it shows what high cultivation 

 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 

 to seven of these young shoots or suckers spring out of and around the 

 parent stem. The fruit, or rather the bunch of fruits, makes its appear- 

 ance between eight, nine, and twelve months. The young shoots then 

 give their fruit in succession, for two, three, or even many years, accord- 

 ing to the climate, fertility of the soil, and the care bestowed on them. 

 A plantain '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 development 

 which has taken place during the last few years in the fruit trade." 



In the early stages of this enterprise the following suggestions were 

 offered by Mr. Morris {Colony of British Honduras, pp. 92, 93) with 

 a view to establish successful plantations : — 



" Owing to the regular fortnightly communication by mail steamer 

 between British Honduras and New Orleans, a large demand has arisen 

 for bananas, coco-nuts, oranges, pine-apples, and various other fruits for 

 the American market. At present, next to sugar, bananas would appear 

 to be occupying chief attention in the Colony, and provided a convenient 

 and regular market is found for the produce, planters have every 

 prospect of finding the cultivation a profitable one. 



