, 1890-11-29

-n,Az -
ed as the primary and absolutely essential
qualities of a good cane, while it is admitted
at the same time there are several important
minor qualities, which, though dispersable,
are also desirable. These certain to the habit
of growth, resistance to drought, e~arliness,
Towering or woodworking, degree of itch to
the leaves, of fibre in the cane, &c. &c. In
selecting breeding stock it must be admitted
that we have much to learn on the subject of
the transmission of qualities in seminal gene
ration in the cane. We have described 70
some extent the evidence we at present pos
sess of the considerable variation that takes
places in descent in the physical and morpho-
logical features of the cane whether the
sweetness will vary to the same extent sufG-
cient time has not elapsed yet for us to deter
mine. This character is equally as impor-
tant as that of the size and physical nature Of
the cane, and in our experimental work de-
mands equal attention and regard. The few
analyses it has been possible yet to make seem
to point to the fact that external physical
variation is accompanied by internal chemical
variation. But we must wait another year,
till our pedigreed seedlings have matured,
before we can speak with assurance on this
point. However the uncertainty need not
affect our present action there can be no
question, whether the saccharine quality
varies or not in descent, the best stock to
breed from is that possessing in largest degree
the qualities, separately or combined, of
weight of cane and of sugar. There are three
possible ways In which we may look for i'm
provement in the sugar cane. We may obtain
a variety that will give a larger weight Of
cane per acre, though it may contain no more
sugar per ton of cane than the better kinds
we possess now. Again, we may obtain a
variety yielding a higher percentage of sugar,
though the weight Of cane be not increased.
This is what has been accomplished in regard
to the sugar beet. Thirdly, we may obtain a
cane containing both increased yield of cane
and of sugar. Which would be the most de-
sirable would depend upon the degree and
relative proportions of bulk and percentage of
sugar in the cane. Sufficient has been said to
show what is to be sought in propagating the
sugar cane from seed. We shall not get an
ideal cane but Mr.. Neville Lubbock gave the
writer one day a rough ideal toward which we
may successfully strive. What we want"
said he, pointing to a plantain stalk Is #.
high and as thick as ones thigh, sis a cane as
big as that containing 20 per cent. of sugar"
Whether we shall ever attain to the size of
cane or degree of sugar contents just men,
toned may be left to conjecture and the re-
suit Of future work, but it is along the lines
leading to those ends hat we confidently look
to make progress. The Scard Seeding gives
us an indication of what is possible. This is a
plant of unknown parentage and tortuitous
birth in Barbados. 1t was among the earliest
natural seedlings discovered there by Messrs.
Harrison and Bowel. When an inch or so
high, and when nothing whatever could be
known of its character beyond the facts men
toned, it was taken by chance from the nur-
sery at Dodds by Mr.. Bowel and sent here,
It has turned out an entirely unknown varie-
ty, and a giant of its race. A few months ago
it fell down of its own weight, when ten
canes were broken OFF which collectively
weighed 1872 lbs. without the tops. In spite
of this loss it is still IS feet high and IL feet
in girth of stool, possessing "a canes which
will probably weigh when cut 200 lbs, half
as many more having been killed by borers,-
pests that have been unusually pre- valent THE
year. In . further issue we shall make some
remarks on seed sowing this autumn.