8 
THE PAN AMERICAN UNION. 
torrid zone. In certain localities where the soil is good but the rain¬ 
fall insufficient irrigation is practiced, but this is possible only where 
an abundant water supply is available, as the water requirement of 
the banana is enormous. 
Central America offers ideal conditions for banana cultivation. 
The main mountain backbone runs along the Pacific coast, the lesser 
ranges to the eastward, leaving wide slopes, river valleys, and lowlands 
on the Caribbean side. It is in this section, a few miles back from 
the coast, at an elevation of not more than 250 feet above sea level, 
with its hot days and humid nights and with an annual rainfall of 
from 80 to 200 inches, that the wilderness of tropical jungle has made 
way for the greatest fruit farms of the world. All within the past 
forty years an enormous agricultural industry, with its related inter¬ 
ests of railways, stores, docks, villages, and hospitals, has sprung up in 
a region formerly almost uninhabited. Central America may indeed 
thank the banana trade for by far the most progressive development 
and constructive influence which have ever reached its shores. 
SCOPE OF THE MODERN PLANTATION. 
The modern banana plantation is a marvel of system and immen¬ 
sity, all the more impressive because of its setting of primeval jungle. 
In the transformation within a few years from a wilderness of 
huge trees, palms, vines, ferns, and other tropical growth to a vast 
tract of cultivated land there is a succession of steps which can 
scarcely be contemplated by those familiar only with farming 
operations in the temperate zone. The surrounding country is first 
thoroughly explored as to its fitness for banana cultivation. Then 
comes the clearing away of forest and brush, the digging of the main 
draining ditches, the building of houses, railroads, and tramways, and 
the planting. Then follows the gradual development and extension 
until vast areas are pouring their product methodically and regularly 
into the holds of the ships at the loading ports. 
The personnel of a farm consists of an overseer or “mandador,” 
timekeeper, foremen, stockmen, and laborers. The land, when sur¬ 
veyed in the first instance, is laid out in sections of a size convenient 
for allotting the work and for keeping proper records of physical con¬ 
ditions, operating costs, and production from the time of planting. 
Aside from the necessary transportation, housing facilities, stores, 
and equipment, a supply of foodstuffs and merchandise must be made 
available at reasonable prices. Hospital treatment must also be 
provided in case of sickness or accident, and the general sanitary 
condition of the plantation and the welfare of its employees and 
laborers must be properly looked after in order to maintain an efficient 
organization. 
