8 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



BANANAS FROM A COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW. 



By Mr. Frank Pink. 



[Lecture given on March 23, 1905.] 



It is probable that an article dealing exclusively with the production of 

 bananas would have greater interest for the members of the Royal Horti- 

 cultural Society than the subject on which I am writing ; but as most of 

 the bananas cultivated are intended to be sold in the ordinary markets of 

 the world, some information about the methods of handling and disposing 

 of the fruit may be appreciated. 



The banana has been known for centuries, but it is only during recent 

 years that it has found its way to this country. Some years ago, a 

 gentleman staying in the Canary Islands for the benefit of his health 

 saw the fruit growing, and was struck with the possibility of shipping it 

 to England. He approached the shipping companies, who then used the 

 islands as a coaling station ; at first they would not consider the 

 matter, but later they agreed to try some experimental shipments. Many 

 failures occurred in the early stages of the industry ; but a sound trade 

 was founded, which has been of immense benefit to the islands, and of 

 great value to our shipping companies. 



Until about four years ago, the monopoly of the banana business was 

 held by the Canary Islands, when Sir Daniel (then Dr.) Morris, the 

 Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies, induced the 

 Government to offer a subsidy for a direct line of steamers to run to and 

 from Jamaica, and to bring over every fortnight not less than 20,000 

 bunches of bananas. 



A contract was entered into with Sir Alfred Jones, the chairman of 

 the Elder-Dempster Line, and the importation of Jamaica bananas com- 

 menced. At the time it was thought that the industry of the Canary 

 Islands would be seriously damaged, but methods there have been im- 

 proved, and the public demand for the fruit has increased to such an 

 extent that I think I may correctly state that the Canary industry is now 

 as flourishing as ever it was. 



Scon after the direct Jamaica service was established, the Royal Mail 

 Steam Packet Company, which for many years has run steamers to the 

 West Indies, took steps to render its vessels capable of carrying bananas, 

 and it has been possible to open up the industry in Barbados, and also to 

 make experiments in Trinidad, St. Vincent, and British Guiana. It can 

 easily, therefore, be seen how the business has increased during the short 

 period of four years, and how it is now no longer confined to one country. 



I will now say a few words about the kinds of bananas which can be 

 sent to this country. That grown in the Canary Islands is the Musa 

 Cavendiskii, which bears large compact bunches of moderately large 

 "fingers," and attains a height of about ten or twelve feet. 



