The Luscious Banana

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 11, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 43.

The Luscious Banana.

THE banana plant is bulbous. The sprout starts up from the ground and grows somewhat after the manner of the sugar-cane. Generally in one year after it begins to grow its fruit is ready to cut. Each tree bears one bunch of fruit, which grows at the top. The stalk is really composed of successive layers of leaves, formed by the top leaf coming off and those around it also, which die and dry up around the tree, thus making the stalk. There are generally four or five leaves always at the top, new ones springing forth as the old ones die. The leaves are of a red color. The end of the stalk blossoms in a manner somewhat similar to that of the calla lily.

This blossom is inclosed in a pod almost the size of a cocoanut, which is composed of a succession of leaves. As the pod expands the leaves drop off and under each of the leaves is a "hand" of bananas, or what we recognize as one of the clusters on a bunch of bananas. The developing of these successive "hands" or layers of bananas constitutes the bunch. As these successive layers are developed, the bunch increases in weight and bends over.

When the bananas are fit to be taken off the tree is cut partly in two about half way down the stalk, and the tree bent over and the fruit gathered. The tree is then bent back again into its regular position. The tree is not completely cut off, but is thus bent back into its former position for the purpose of preventing the water in the rainy season from going down into the roots and decaying them. After the rainy season, sprouts begin to shoot up from around the bottom of the old stalk, and then the latter is cut off close to the butt. These shoots grow into new trees. Sometimes there will be four or five shoots, but ordinarily only one or two are left to grow.—Providence Journal.