100 



its energies may be concentrated in the process of fructi' 

 fication. 



It is another disadvantage attending the propagation from 

 cuttings, that the stock sooner or later degenerates. We 

 have instances in the apple, the pear, and in most fruits in 

 which recourse has been had to this artificial method of con- 

 tinuing a species. The Cane itself affords us a well marked 

 example. The original sort, which has been cultivated 

 since the discovery of the island, has gradually deteriorated, 

 till it has become no longer worthy of cultivation. It is 

 needless to ascribe this to diminished fertility, since in new 

 land it still comes up stunted in its growth. In like manner, 

 the kinds which have been more recently introduced, are 

 gradually deteriorating, so that, if no new stocks are imported, 

 we may expect the discovery to be made, that the most fertile 

 island in the world is no longer capable of growing Canes to 

 advantage. 



It may be proper to notice here, the peculiarities of the 

 different stocks or breeds of Cane now in cultivation in tie 

 West India Islands. 



The oldest stock — that which has been cultivated ever 

 since the discovery of these islands — is known by the name of 

 the Country Cane. It is readily distinguished by its diminu- 

 tive size, its stem spindling, the joints close to one another, 

 and the leaves but little broader than those of some of the 

 common grasses. At one time great returns were obtained 

 from it, and the quality of the produce is described as having 

 been superior to anything w^e can obtain from the varieties at 

 present in favour — being white, hard, and sparkling- Kow, 

 however, it has been consigned to deserved disrepute — its 

 growth indicating all the symptoms of a worn-out stock, its 

 aspect being dwarf-like, its returns scanty, and it, alone, of 

 all the different breeds, being liable to the attacks of insects. 

 There are some planters, however, who still regret that it 

 should be thrown out of cultivation; ascribing the di- 

 minished fertility of the soil, and the inferior character of 

 the produce, to the recently imported stocks, by which it has 

 been siiperseded. That such have little occasion for their 



