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' In wide planting there is less risk of a fulling tree carrying another 

 with it. The roots of the banana appear to require a radius of at least 

 8 feet, and wide planting has always commended itself, in my 

 experience, as the best agriculture ; that is to say, sufficiently wide 

 planting to give the plant or tree space admitting of its full and best 

 development. Among other advantages cultivation is easier; and 

 beyond question the higher the cultivation the better is the fruit 

 obtained. ' 



Digging holes. — Some planters are content with shallow holes about 

 one foot deep. But better results are obtained when holes 2 feet 6 

 inches every way ire dug: the roots get a better start, and a better 

 hold on the ground, so that the plants are more forward, and are not 

 so liable to be blown down. 



A planter who prepares holes 3 to 4 feet wide and from 2 to 2\ feet 

 deep, writes: — 'It is not always possible to get the labour to make 

 these holes, but lam convinced of the advantage and ultimate economy 

 of mtking them large and deep, for among other reasons, the plant 

 gets a start at once ; a good root is formed in the loosened earth which 

 practically " anchors" the tree, and enables it to resist high winds, and 

 when planted in this way, the tendency of ihe riot to come to the 

 surface is greatly obviated.' 



PLANTING. 



Time of year. — If the aim is to get the main crop in for the 

 American market from March to June, planting is generally done 

 irom January to April. Otherwise planting may go on at any time 

 when rain or irrigation wattr can be relied on to help on the young 

 plants. I here is no doubt, however, that March and April is the best 

 time for planting when all vegetation is springing naturally. In 

 April there are always showers which help to start the eyes of the 

 bulb in putting out leaves ^nd roots, and when the May rains come, 

 the young suckers rush along faster than at any other time the 

 year. 



Seed- suckers. Size. — Suckers are selected for planting 6 to 8 

 months old ; they would thtn be about 10 feet high, with large swollen 

 bulbs 8 to 10 inches across. Ihey should always be suckers which 

 have not been pruned, and these are indicated by the first leaves being 

 very narrow in propoi tion to their length, hence called ' sword' suckers. 



Preparation. — They are cut down to within 6 inches of the bulb, and 

 the old roots cleared off. Some planters put them in the ground at 

 once, others leave them to dry for 3 or 4 days, and then plant. Others 

 again find that they get better results by piling them in heaps 8 to 10 

 deep, then trash is thrown over them to keep i ff the sun, and they are 

 left a month. The best way to pile them is to erect f nces 3 feet 6 

 inches high to enclose a convenient spot 6 feet wide and of any length 

 necessary. 



Position. — They are placed in the ground with the eyes 3 inches 

 below the surface. On hill-sides they are put in slanting, and an eye 

 at the side develops into the plant. On the flat they are set upright ; 

 if the centi e sucker happens to shoot, it is left ; if not, the best of those 

 growing all round is selected. Some planters, even on. 1 , /el ground, 

 plant their suckers slanting, as few eyes develop into suckers, and the 



