68 



to be considerably on the increase, and it is expected fhat it will soon 

 become one of the principal exports, as direct communication between 

 Grand Canary and London is established. During 1885 from 40,000 

 to 50,000 bunches of this fruit were shipped to Europe, averaging 3& 

 per bunch, Grand Canary alone contributing between 25,000 and 

 30,000 clusters." 



Musa Cavendishii, Lamb. 



(From " Gardening Illustrated. ") 



The Canary banana, as it is called in Covent Garden, arrives in this 

 country with each bunch packed separately in narrow tall baskets made 

 from the split stems of the common reed Arundo Donax, special^ grown 

 for this and other purposes in moist places in the islands. The bunch 

 of fruit stands on end in the basket, and is carefully and compactly 

 packed with dry banana leaves to prevent injury. The base of the fruit 

 stalk or peduncle usually projects beyond the sacking covering the mouth 

 of the basket, and it affords a convenient handle for lifting and moving 

 the package in transit. 



Bananas usually sell in England during about eight to nine months in 

 the year. They are not sought for during the months of June, July, and 



