, 1896-10-21
SEEDING SUGAR CANES.
louisiana Planter, 26h September.)

The season has been especially favourable
for the growth Of canes since they were cut
in April and May. The ratoons sprung fairly
we'll, but they do not show to such advantage
as the young plants.
The propagation of the f~,vourite No. 80
has been carried On as fast as possible, and
we have now a fine lot of stools Of this class
which will give II large supply of plants
next year.
No. 50 is the fastest grower of any Of tho
Demelara ~clnes-planted side by side, and
row by row, with the B ,nrbon, and on the
same day, it far outstrips that cane by giving
an average Of nine Games to q stool, while
the Bourbon has only given an average Of
ave.
The No. 95 canes, from tops planted on
February 2, 1865, have now canes nearly
three feet in length, while the Bourbon is
much shorter.
No. 95, however. in common with Bou--
bon, appears to suffer from rust attacking the
leaves. The canes whish l call st. Anus
No. l and No. 2, raised in Trinidad, are doing
well, planted side by side with the Demerara
95. No. 2 resembles the celebrated Guiana
plant very closely and is not much attacked
by rust. No. l is q little larger and o slight
ly darker cane both canes are very Wig.
orous.
The sturdiest grower, the most vigorous
and healthy in appearance of the whole lot is
the Barbadian Burke cane.
No. IA is q tall, bunchy, upright grower
with a large number of canes to a steol, with
q healthy constitution.
No. 81 is slightly shorter, but very vigo.
rous and healthy.
No. 1902 Demerara is one of the best looking
canes, very vigorous, good croppsr, and with
broad bright green leaves it is q cane which
will attract the Dlanter's eve.
The seedlings Of this years growth are
now commencing TO show canes, and as is
generally the case, no two canes are alike.
The cane raised from Trinidad seed proves
to be a small, light!oolored cane, the seed
parent being a sample cane. The Barbados
seedlings are of oil colors, from purple to
light, and it would be very difficult to pick
out two canes having the same habit Of
growth and form of leaf from this little
batch of twenty-five stools. The solicitors of
of the Demerara canes appear to have kept
in view habit of growth as much as any
other feature, and canes have apparently been
selected which will. while standing upright
III the field without falling, give q large mum
Der Of canes to each stool.
This is as it should be, for it is fairly ap-
parent that if one or more canes to each
stool can be gained, it adds a large percent
age to a crop. A great deal has been said
ana written on the practice OF making cane
cuttings, the general opinion being in favour
of tops. To use all tops for propagating pur-
poses when we want to increase the number
of plants would necessarily be very slow
proceeding, and we have therefore adopted
the more rapid practice Of making one Joint
cuttings, the tops, Of course, being utilized
as far as possible. This practice, l am quite
aware, is not new, but it is seldom used on All
estate, from the fact that short cuttings ale
certainly more apt to rot out than long ones,
and the planter is not to be blamed in the
least if he prefers tops. Still, where it is
necessary to be economical with planting
material, or where it is desired to get a large
number of plants in a short time, good use
can be made of The single joint, snd he would
be exceedingly clever who could afterward
tell i'll which way q stool was raised whether
from a top or single joint, and if it can be
done, | should indeed be glad to | earn how.
Planters are invited to come I. the Gardens
and see the prese Mt growth of the new canes,
and l venture to anticipate that those who
accept the invitation will be interested.
=: Il. Hart, F. I. s. Sap, II. !B. Gardens,
an Trinidad NeuS.