Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1892 — FACTS ABOUT BANANAS. [ARTICLE]

FACTS ABOUT BANANAS.

Where the Lnseioqg Fruit Comev From—Ripening the Fruit. Bananas come mostly from Baracoa, a small seaport town inCuba, which claims the distinction of being the centre of tho large fruit trade with the United States. They also come from Aspinwall, Jamaica and other tropical cities. Twenty years ago bananas were very little known in this country. The first big cargo that came to the United States landed at Now York in March, 1870, and previous to that timo the bananas which found their wuy into our markets came along with other fruit. But the demand became so great that it was determined to send over a ship laden exclusively with bananas. The first shipment, whilo yielding a fair profit, was disastrous. Over 50 per cent, rotted on the long journey. The growers bogan to look about tor a better w.av to transport the fruit, as it was evident that if the business was oxpeoted to pay a shorter journey was absolutely necessary. A Spaniard took the initiative and chartered a fast American merchant vessel, which he loaded with bananas and despatched to New York. When it came to be un- • loaded it was found that not more than 5 per cent, of tho fruit had spoiled. This was the beginning of a pig business. More and faster ships were secured and farmoss in the tropics and capitalists in this country turned their attention and money to the systematic culture of the buuana. Thero arc two varieties shipped to the country. The long yellow plaintain and the short red stumpy species. The former, however, is by far tho more popular, for in addition to being cheaper, it is eaGier to raise and ripens much sooner than tho other. Bananas are shipped all the year round, hut are at their best during tho early spring, and from Murch to Juno may bo said to bo tho season for tho best fruit. One of tho peculiar facts about the banana is that but ono bunch grows on a tree. Tho fruit is cut when green, and then tho trees are cut down to the ground. They sprout almost immediately, and in a short time bear again. All of the banunus which come to this country are shipped in a green state. They are transported from the farms to the coast on tho backs of little pack donkeys. One donkey can carry from one to six bunches, according to tho size of tho bunches und the distance it has to travol.

A reporter of the Star visited ono of tho establishments recently to investigate the methods employed by the dealers in ripening the fruit. The bananas were found in a large cellar in five different rooms. Thero were thousands of bunchos hanging from tho ceiling as close together ns tho space would permit, and all in different stages of ripeness. The first room was filled with bananas ready to bo oaten, or ns tho dealer put it, full ripe. Tho temperature in this room was kept at about fifty-eight degrees, and with this tempornturo they can bo kept for three or four days. Astor that they commence to rot and must be sold at once. In another room was found hundreds of bananas in the first stages of ripening. Hero the temperature ranges from sixty-fivo to seventy degrees, and the big bunches were boginning to show signs of ripeulng. It takes from three to four days to thoroughly ripen a great bunch of bananas. In reply to the reporter's question the dealer stated that there was no regular price for tho fruit. Everything deponded upon the supply and tho weather. A bunch of nice ripe bannnas was worth at this time about 75 cents. Tho numbel of bananas on a bunch range from 125 to 175, an* the retail price is anywhere from 10 cents a peck to 25 cents a dozen. The Aspinwall fruit seems to be the most popular, and whilo the reporter was examining tho fruit several dealers came in and made purchases. Thoy were tho representatives of the traveling fruit stands that arc to be seen at every street corner during the year retailing the “nioa ripa banan.” They were replenishing their stock in trade. —[Washington Star.