OCR Text |
Show MANY USES OF THE. BANANA. Product of Entire Tree Utilized by West Indian Natives. In this country tho banana Is regarded re-garded mostly as a food product, but In tho Wctst Indies tho natives And a uso for' tho ontlro treo, and well it servos Its many purposes. When the young coffeo and cocoa plants need protection from the florco rays of tho sun banana leaves give tho desired Bhelter. Physicians and nurses uso the tender, unopened leaves for dressings, and tho old leaves are mado Into twine and boxes. In Malay the stalks and leaves aro mado Into a soap for laundry purposes, pur-poses, and a solution forms a valuable salt. From '"inana Julco and the skin of tho fruit a preparation Is made for blackening purposes and tho Juice also makes ,n good lndellblo Ink. On tho under side of a banana leaf a wax forms which Is very valuablo and is ono of tho export products of tho Island ot Java. In some countries coun-tries a dyo stuff Is produced from the ashos of tho fruit and leaves and the banana fiber Is used In making manlla hemp, from which ropo and cordago aro manufactured. In Switzerland n very flno hat braid Is mado from this manlla hemp. From these examples It Is readily seen what an Important placo tho banana holds In tho world of commerce |