140 



I have no doubt that if the head were not severed, bat could be con- 

 veniently left to decay, a large proportion of the food -material 

 elaborated and actually present in t ie leaves would piss from them 

 down into the bulb, just as, in deciduous 1rees, the leaves send all that 

 is of value into the stem before they f dl off. This would be a decided 

 advantage to the plant as there would be no loss of energy ia working 

 up again the mass which had beea left to decay and to manure the 

 ground, and the succeeding suckers would immediately benefit. But 

 probably it would be very incoavenient to have the heads projecting 

 into the passage ways. 



I have been in correspondence about the value of the fibre of the 

 out stems. It seems that it could not compete with other fibre for 

 rope-making, but it is possible that it may be of value as material for 

 making paper. 



REPLANTING. 



It is considered advisable to re-plant a banana walk after an interval 

 which varies from th ee to six years. A certain proportion is taken 

 each year, so that every year some planting is going on. It is the 

 oust oni with some to sow velvet beans and bonavist beans* in the field 

 that is to be thrown up. These leguminous climbers soon cover up the 

 old suckers and kill them, and after some time the whole may be 

 ploughed up and replanted. Some are trying planting between the 

 rows of first ratoons, as it is easie r to regulate plants and first ratoons 

 for the American market than later ratoons. 



The question of re-planting must be decided from various considera- 

 tions : the field may be getting out of shape from the various ways in 

 which the suckers have sprung from the parent plant, making it 

 difficult to cultivate ; the soil may require rest or a more thorough 

 ploughing than can be given while stems are growing; and the com- 

 mercial question of paying better to plant for the Americao market. 



DISEASE. 



In Trinidad the banana stems are said to suffer from the attacks of a 

 fungus (Marasmius). A year ago Dr. Morris pointed out stems in 

 Jamaica which he considered were affected by the same disease, How- 

 ever, after careful watching ever since by many of the largest growers, 

 it appears that the disease is not likely ever to do any damage, under 

 the circumstances obtaining in ordinary cultivation. 



A planter who has great experience writes as follows : — 

 ' With regard to the disease on the banana plaut pointel out by Dr. 

 Morris, I am of opinion that it only makes its appearance upon young 

 trees that are growing on very poor or water-logged land. I have 

 seen it in my fields repeatedly, but it has no detrimental effect on 

 healthy trees. 



' The sucker that it makes its appearance on is generally a weak one, 

 which in any case would not be kept to come to maturity. 



' I do not know whether the disease is a fungus or bacteria, but it 

 seems harmless, as I find it plentiful in my banana walks upon such 

 suckers as have suffered injury, but it doss not attack the strong 

 healthy ones. It seems to me to be the seat from which decay will 

 start in a weak sucker first. Personally, I have no fear of its doing 

 material damage.' 



*Dolichos Lablab, var. albiflora (Sem, Sim or Sembi of India). 



