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weather, a mulch of cut grass should be placed 
round the suckers to prevent excessive evaporation. 
Weeds must not be allowed to grow immediately 
round the plants and the soil should be frequently 
stirred; 
The banana plant appears to utilise a large propor- 
tion of potash from the soil and all parts of the plant 
are rich in potash. In Queensland the application of 
potash fertilisers has been effective in increasing 
yields. 
The first bunch of fruits is produced about a year 
from the date of planting, but this depends upon 
the variety grown. The plant will throw out several 
suckers, forming a clump, but only four or five of 
these should be allowed to grow. After removing 
the fruit the stem should be cut down to allow the 
subsidiary suckers space to expand. With good 
cultivation these will soon bear fruit and the plant 
will continue to be productive for from four to six 
years, during which time it will yield an average 
of two bunches of fruit per annum. 
Banana A new industry, which has recently 
Flour. been started in the West Indies, is the 
manufacture of banana flour. 
Any kind of banana or plantain is suitable for the 
preparation of banana flour, but for economic pur- 
poses, the variety which produces the largest weight 
of fruit (excluding the skin) should be grown, apart 
from other considerations, such as liability to attack 
by pests and diseases. In this country the Pisang 
Raja on account of the size of its bunches, size of 
fruit and high productivity, is recommended as the 
most economical variety for flour, 
