May 25, 1882.] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
417 
25th 
Tn 
Society of Arts at 8 P.M. 
26th 
F 
Horticultural Exhibition at Manchester. 
27th 
S 
Roval Botanic Society, 3.45 P.M. 
28th 
SUN 
Whit Sunday. 
29th 
M 
Bank Holiday. 
30th 
Tu 
31st 
W 
Kingston Horticultural Exhibition. 
MUSAS. 
USAS rank amongst the most noble plants of 
the tropics, and are, perhaps, only surpassed 
in grandeur by Palms. The species are all of 
a succulent nature, of rapid growth, and the 
fruiting kinds come to maturity in a much less 
time than the majority of plants of equal size. 
About thirty species are known, all natives of the 
Old World ; but two or three species are now 
widely distributed and cultivated throughout the tropics 
for their delicious fruits. Of fruiting kinds M. sapi- 
entum and M. Cavendishii are by far the best, M. Cavendishii 
being the most extensively cultivated in. this country. This 
varies but little, whilst, on the other hand, M. sapientum varies 
considerabty. Of the latter there are several very distinct 
forms. One produces fruit of great size, and when growing is 
of a dark brown colour, turning to yellowish brown when ripe. 
The flavour of this is below the average ; the yellow variety is 
preferable for table. In the tropics the different varieties are 
known under local names, such as Champa, Kantally, Earn 
Kele, Martaban ; and one that is grown extensively in Brazil, 
called The Ladies’ Fingers, is considered to be the highest 
flavoured of all, and is much prized. 
I have often been surprised that Musa Cavendishii is not 
more generally grown in this country. Surely it "would well 
repay at many establishments to have a house devoted entirely 
to its cultivation. With a sufficient number of plants the fruit 
can be ripened at all seasons (as is the case with Pines), al¬ 
though a constant supply cannot be insured. There appears to 
be a rather large trade in importing Bananas to this country, and 
no doubt it is profitable, for single fruits of first-rate quality in 
Covent Garden are sold retail at 3s to 4s. per dozen. Imported 
Bananas, however, even of first-rate market quality, are scarcely 
equal to third-rate home-grown examples. The imported fruits 
have to be cut in a green state and allowed to ripen coming 
home and in the shops, so that they cannot possibly possess 
such a delicious flavour as fruit allowed to ripen naturally on 
the plants. A good bunch of M. sapientum will produce over 
a hundred fruits, and if well matured each fruit should weigh 
at least half a pound ; and it will be remembered that a bunch 
of M. Cavendishii was shown at one of the Kensington meet¬ 
ings some months since weighing 90 lbs., and even higher 
weights have been recorded. Undoubtedly Bananas are very 
nutritious and satisfying, and they form one of the staple foods 
of the natives in some tropical regions. If Yams (the sub¬ 
stitute for our Potatoes), Rice, and Bananas can be obtained 
the native cares for little else in the way of food. 
Most people that have visited the London parks in summer 
are familiar with two if not more kinds of Musas used in the 
subtropical gardening, and cannot fail to appreciate their noble 
appearance. For outdoor decoration M. superba is the most 
extensively grown, and is by far the most suitable, owing to its 
dwarf compact habit, and the fact that it can endure moderate 
wind without injury to the leaves. In this country it is gene¬ 
rally treated as a deciduous plant. In the autumn it loses its 
leaves, after which time it may be kept perfectly dry. The 
plants may be stowed away under plant stages or in vineries— 
in fact, almost anywhere, so long as a temperature of 45° to 
50° is maintained. In spring they should be placed in a little 
heat and have a thorough soaking of water ; they will then 
soon produce young leaves. It is also very useful for indoor 
decoration in summer, and stands well in a greenhouse or con¬ 
servatory, and where foliage plants of a bold character are 
needed M. superba should certainly find a place. M. Ensete, 
when well grown, is a striking plant, and somewhat like M. sa¬ 
pientum in character, but has red midribs and a much shorter 
stem. This is a very useful and ornamental plant in a young 
state. M. vittata is another extremely handsome plant, and 
when exposed to full light and sun the variegated foliage 
appears to great advantage. This also has the character of 
M. sapientum, except in the markings of the leaves. Its 
only defect is the great height to which it grows. However, 
small plants are by no means to be despised, and are very 
showy arranged with larger stove specimens. M. cnccinea is 
a very attractive plant when in flower, and although it was 
introduced as long ago as 1792, it is rarely seen in gardens. 
Its average height is about 4 feet, and more often it flowers at 
a less size. As the name implies, the flowers, or more strictly 
speaking the bracts, are scarlet, and last long in perfection. 
I am sure if it were generally known it would be extensively 
cultivated, for it would well repay for the little attention it 
needs. In addition to M. vittata already mentioned there are 
two other species—viz., M. zebrina and M. sumatrana, the 
latter of which is of recent introduction, that are remarkable 
for their variegated foliage, especially when in a young state, 
their leaves being banded and blotched with dark brown. As 
the plants become older their beauty gradually decreases, and 
by the time they are fully matured the leaves are of the normal 
green. I have only mentioned a few which I consider to be 
the most useful for general purposes. There are others that 
are very important from a botanist’s point of view, and deserve 
to be brought under notice, but many of the species are not in 
cultivation in this country. 
Propagation. —The majority of the species can readily be 
propagated by suckers, which are produced freely from the 
base of the parent plant ; the others have to be propagated by 
means of seed. M. sapientum, M. Cavendishii, and the other 
species belonging to that section, are readily increased by 
suckers ; whilst M. superba and M. Ensete have to be pro¬ 
pagated by seeds. 
Cultivation. —For the fruiting kinds the soil must be ex¬ 
ceedingly rich, consisting of good turfy loam, decayed manure, 
and a good sprinkling of rough sand. If the loam is too heavy 
a portion of leaf soil may be added, the pots, boxes, or beds in 
which they are growing being thoroughly drained. The latter 
is one of the most essential parts, as copious supplies of water 
must be given. When the plants are fruiting a good top¬ 
dressing of manure or liberal supplies of liquid manure should 
be given. A brisk heat should be maintained through the 
No. 100.— Vol. IV., Tiimn Series. 
No. 1750.—Vol. LX VII., Old Series. 
