20 



REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



Sugarcane. — There is a considerable area of sugarcane 

 in the Peshawar Valley, which consists principally of a 

 " thick ' variety, yielding heavy crops. A number of 

 samples, each consisting of about 200 canes, were tested 

 in December and January and the following examples 

 illustrate the general quality : — 



The proportion of juice was obtained by crushing the 

 cane in a Nahan bullock power mill. It will be seen from 

 the above examples that it is a cane containing a high 

 proportion of juice. United Provinces canes for example 

 yield only some 60 — 65 per cent, juice to such a mill. The 

 percentage of sugar in the juice is rather low. As the 

 season advances the quality improves. From the manufac- 

 turing standpoint the comparatively low percentage of 

 sucrose is made up for in a great measure by the high pro- 

 portion of juice and low fibre content which reduces the 

 necessary maceration. The crushing season is limited to 

 the months December and January. 



Other canes tested were imported varieties grown at 

 the Tarnab or Haripur Farms, e.g., Striped Mauritius, 

 Purple Mauritius, Saharanpuri, Partabgarhi, etc., most of 

 which proved to be similar in quality to the local pounda. 



' b Clam fed " cane. — The method of " clamping " sugar- 

 cane in the Peshawar Valley is similar to that employed 

 in Europe for preserving roots or potatoes. It may be 



