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General. The banana can be produced so cheaply 
in this country that it should be pos- 
sible to ship fresh fruit to the Southern and Western 
States of Australia ; and, provided ships on the 
Singapore — Australian route were fitted with special 
refrigerating space, there appears to be no reason 
why a profitable trade should not be developed be- 
tween the two countries. The fruit can be purchased 
on the local markets at considerably less than a 
cent each and, if delivered in good condition, could 
probably be sold in Australia at a price equivalent 
to 5 or 6 cents. 
There is at the present time a small import duty, 
on bananas in Australia, but in spite of this, fairly 
large quantities of the fresh fruit are now being 
exported to that country from Java. 
Limes The lime is .cultivated to a greater or 
(Citrus less extent in all tropical countries for 
medica, var. its acid, juicy fruit, which is used 
acida). principally in the manufacture of 
cooling drinks. It is grown as a com- 
mercial product in the West Indies, and the export 
of concentrated lime juice and citrate of lime forms 
the chief industry of the island of Dominica. 
Formerly, citric acid was obtained from the Sicilian 
lemon ( Citrus medica, var . lemonum), but during 
recent years the lime has to some extent taken its 
place. 
The lime plant requires careful attention in its 
cultivation, as if grown under unfavourable condi- 
tions it is subject to severe attacks by both insect 
pests and fungoid d ; seases, which will affect the 
yield of fruit to such an extent as to render cultiva- 
tion on a field scale unremunerative. 
