BANANAS FROM A COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW. 11 



I will conclude my paper with a short description of the manner in 

 which the fruit is handled in this country. 



For all kinds of hananas, specially constructed rooms are required, in 

 which the temperature can he easily regulated ; for in the winter the fruit 

 must be kept warm, and in the summer it must be kept cool, or it will 

 ripen too quickly. If the bunches are not packed, they are usually taken 

 from the ship and placed in railway trucks immediately, a little straw 

 being placed between them to prevent bruising ; they are then consigned 

 to the wholesale dealers who distribute them. 



These dealers usually keep them in special rooms, and also ripen 

 them. The " crated " bananas are usually ripened by the importers, and 

 sent out when nearly ready for consumption. 



The Barbados fruit is probably handled as economically as any, for on 

 the arrival of the steamers at Plymouth it is placed in lighters which 

 take it direct to the quay on which the stores are situated. From the 

 lighters it is taken direct into the special rooms, without any cartage or 

 other delay being necessary. It is then examined, and the best bunches 

 marked with the registered trade mark 1 Dagger Brand,' by which it can 

 be distinguished from other kinds. When nearly ready for consumption, 

 it is sent to the shopkeepers. 



A large amount of doubt seems to exist as to the correct state of ripe- 

 ness to which a banana should be allowed to go before consumption. 



I 'think the fruit is not by any means perfect until brown spots begin 

 to show on the skin, at which stage every trace of green will have dis- 

 appeared. These brown spots due to ripeness are quite easily distinguished 

 from marks caused by bruises. 



The shopkeeper usually prefers to send the fruit out before it reaches 

 this stage, and I think he is quite right to do so ; for when it is really 

 ripe it becomes very soft, and is really not in a condition to bear the 

 ordinary handling necessary. It is better for the consumer to have it 

 delivered in a firm condition, and to complete the ripening at home, than 

 to have it delivered badly smashed. An " expert," writing to one of the 

 medical papers a short time ago, accused the shopkeeper of ignorance 

 about bananas, and expressed the opinion that the fruit should be sent out 

 fully ripe. 



When buying bananas, one often wishes to know which kind is being 

 offered, and this can easily be determined, for the ' Gros Michael ' variety 

 has long " fingers," with strongly marked ribs, and pointed ends. 



The Cavendisliii variety has plump " fingers " with rounded ends, to 

 which little tufts of cotton wool are usually adhering. 



To tell the difference between Canary and Barbados fruit is not so 

 easy, for to outward appearance there is little difference ; in fact, to any- 

 one but an expert, no difference. 



