THE FIJI BANANA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18918, 5 February 1927, Page 10

THE FIJI BANANA.

SOME INTERESTING NOTES. "I don't think that it is generally known that tho banana grown in tho Fijis is not indigenous <to those islands," remarked Colonel U. Feudaltdu, to a representative of The Press. Colonel Snow, spent four months in Fiji last winter, and from the notes he made on that occasion hi! supplied tho following information regarding the banana. Fiji, with its rich river and valley fiats, lias been found eminently suited for banana culture. Tho variety mainly grown in Fiji is tho China banana (Musa Sinensis, var. Cavendishii), a native of Southern China, whence a few plants were sent to England in 1820 (just 100 .years ago), and wcro propagated by Sh Joseph Pay ton in the palmhouso at Chatsworth, the Derbyshire seat of tho Duko of Devonshire. From Chatsworth plants were sent in wardian cases to tho South Seas, and among other places were planted in Fiji, where they have increased and prospered ever since. In 1891, the Gros Michel banana (Musa Sapientum) was introduced, and has been largely cultivated for export. Its only drawback is that, being a taller plant and producing a heavier hunch of fruit, it is prone to be blown down by gales, which the sturdier China vuriety can weather successfully.

As none of the varieties grown for export produce seed, the plant is propagated by suckers, which spring up in abundance round the parent plant. Tho best results are obtained by allowing three main fruiting stalks to grow, the*suckers being cut out and used for planting up fresh areas.. The China variety fruits in about twelve months from tho time of planting, tho Gros Michel in about eighteen months. Tho banana farmer who keeps his land cleait, regularly ma mi reef, ami works on a three to four years fallow rotation, may confidently look forward to good results. Land suitable for banana culture may bo leased from the natives, through tho agency of the (Government, at an annual rental - of from 3s to 10s an acre. The green of its immense leaves, the rapidity of growth, and the huge clusters of delicious fruit—which often weigh as much as SOU) — are essentially tropical. Its value as a food, coupled with its agreeable flavour, has led t'> the banana being extensively cultivated in tropical countries for export.