BOMBAY GRASSES. 191 



There arc several varieties of sugarcane which, whether for 

 fog or for being used in the manufacture of sugar, arc more or 

 less largely cultivated throughout India. The reed, after juice has 

 "been extracted, yields a strong fibre used in the manufacture of 

 paper, for torched, and ay fa el in certain parts. The leaves are 

 given as fodder. 



i following varieties of sugarcane are cultivated in the Bombay 



Presidency : — 



Pundia is thick, white, soft cane, yielding a comparatively watery 

 juice, but gradually driving all others out of the field, wherever 

 sufficient water is available for its cultivation, as it is vigorous and 

 yields good crop. I believe this is the Mauritius Cane. 



Striped Cane or Bamunee. It is of less vigorous growth, but is 

 somewhat richer in sugar than the former. 



Dark purple, or 'Kala.' It is hard and gives rich juice ; is hardy 

 in respect of living with less irrigation than the others, but it flowers 

 every year, and this must lead to a loss of sugar. 



There is a fourth variety, that grows to a great length with the 

 thickness of the thumb. It is grown in the Mawal districts and 

 thrives with very little water. The most profitable of all is Pundia. 



The fibres left after the juice is expressed are regularly used as 

 fuel to boil the cane juice, very little other fuel being used for this 

 purpose. 



S. ciliare, Anders., S. munja, Rox. Fl. Ltd. I. 244. 



Yer. Sar, Kana, Kairh, Munj. Seen only in cultivation in Bombay 

 gardens. It is of too coarse a nature to be used for fodder, except 

 when quite young ; it is used, however, in districts where it grows 

 spontaneously, for many other purposes ; e.g., in the manufacture of 

 matting, rope, paper, and for thatching ; the stems are made into 

 screens, sieves, and baskets, the thicker portion of the stem is used 

 for lining walls and in the construction of chairs and couches. In 

 the Jhang district of the Punjab, it is stated that in the cold weather 

 the leaves are often the only pasturage for the cattle. They (the 

 leaves) arc also chopped up and mixed with b/nisa, with grain, 

 oilcake, or green stuff. In the early spring the grass is fired and the 

 cattle graze on the green shoots that quickly sprout again. {Jhang 

 Settlement Report, page 23, vide Duthie.) 



