BANANA CURE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 297, 19 June 1909, Page 6

BANANA CURE.

Bananas wero first imported into Europe on a la-rgo scale from the Canary- Islands. Until a few years ago they successfully met the competition of the Antilles and the coast of Africa. Bui a decease lias spread in ill© bawana cultures, anA exportation lias fallen off in an alarming measure.. As the banana figures prominently in the food of tlie town population of England, tlfe British Government appointed a commission to investigate the causes of the degeneration of this useful plant. According to the report of this commission, the planters have- only themselves to blame ; tliey have given, the soil no rest for 'years past, nor practised any rotation of crops. Confident of the proverbial richness of their soil, they have applied no fertilisers. The enfeebled plants have fallen a prey io a disease known as Cloesporium masaruni, which is gradually gaining a foothold in all plantations'.' The report closes with the observation thaj; the disease is successfully fought by a. proper application of fertiliser to! the soil. > ; . I