Abstract
THE most traditional portrayal of banana cultivation is perhaps that in which an Oriental sage, sitting in pious contemplation in the shade cast by the plant, contentedly leaves it to its own devices in the knowledge that it will flourish and bear fruit for himself and for generations to come. In the early days of banana growing in Central America, the grace of Nature likewise played a prominent part in the inception of what was to become a major industry. By the middle of the nineteenth century it was known that the Gros Michel banana—now the principal variety of commerce—not only would grow but would grow marvellously on the rich soils of the Caribbean islands and mainland. It only remained to be demonstrated that the fruit, if harvested while still green and somewhat immature, could be transported to distant markets, even by sailing ship, and the stage was set for a characteristic display of American enterprise. On the fertile alluvial flats of Central America wonderful bunches of fruit were soon being produced in what was then considered large quantities, with the promise of infinitely more to come; railroads were being laid tnrough forest and swamp; in due course the clipper gave way to the steamship, and the latter to the specialized, modern refrigerated ‘banana boat’. It is a tale of more than ordinary fascination, not wanting in its record of blood and sweat, violent competition, diplomatic ingenuity, chicanery, folly and disaster, but one, be it said, telling of an agricultural industry, which, despite many vicissitudes, has enjoyed a great measure of prosperity and continued success.
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WARDLAW, C. The Banana in Central America: I. Cultivation. Nature 147, 313–316 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/147313a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/147313a0
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