Banana and Plantain (Musa sapientum, M. paradisiaca and others). Scitamineæ.
Edible bananas rarely produce seeds. The young plants are obtained from suckers, which spring from the main root-stock. These suckers are transplanted when two or three feet high. These plants themselves do not produce so good crops as the suckers which arise from them, and are not transplanted. Two or three suckers are sufficient for a plant at a time; what others arise should be transplanted or destroyed. The suckers should be set deep, as low as two feet for best results. In fifteen or eighteen months the plants will bloom, if they have had good care. The stem bears fruit but once, but new stems arise to take its place.
Baneberry. See [Actæa].
Banisteria. Malpighiaceæ.
Propagated by cuttings from ripened wood, which will root freely in sandy soil, under a hand-glass, in stove heat.
Banksia. Proteaceæ.
Seeds are very unsatisfactory. Propagated by well-ripened cuttings taken off at a joint, and placed in pots of sand without shortening any of the leaves, except on the part that is planted in the sand, where they should be taken off quite close. The less depth the better, so long as they stand firm. Place them under hand-glasses in a propagating house, but do not plunge them in heat.
Baphia (Camwood, Barwood). Leguminosæ.
Propagated by cuttings, which should not be deprived of any of their leaves. Place in sand under a hand-glass in heat.
Baptisia. Leguminosæ.