Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 857 



We have now a good stock of diseases on our rivers, and plenty of com- 

 petition by growers in other parts of the world, and it is becoming in- 

 creasingly unwise to use any but the best seed — increasingly important that 

 we should use only the very best. 



One of the lines upon which improvement is going to be effected is the 

 growth of cane for seeding purposes. The suggestion, no doubt, savours of 

 the extravagant to the cane-grower, but let him take stock of the situation. 

 The wheat-grower is learning that such high-class seed as the Department 

 grows on the various farms in the wheat belt has a value far above its price 

 per bushel. The maize-grower is finding that maize grown on scientific lines 

 and by the selection of individual plants is giving quite remarkable 

 results. The potato-grower is becoming conscious of the same thing; so 

 also even the dairy-farmer who tests out the good and bad of his herd. Can 

 the cane-planter expect that anything else shall be true of his crop? The 

 individual, tested row — closely inspected and rigidly thinned out for every 

 semblance of weakness, unthriftiness or disease — is becoming a prime 

 method in agriculture, and it will yet be so in respect of cane. 



There is more ahead of the careful, enthusiastic grower than there is 

 behind him — more of zealous attention to detail — more of enthralling 

 interest and instruction — more of certainty of results and therefore, too, of 

 profit. 



The seed or " sets " vary somewhat in size, according to the ideas of 

 the grower, but two or three eyes per plant seem to be the best. Long sets 

 of several eyes are apt to be disturbed by cultivating implements, and this 

 is particularly injurious to the young plant, for it is very tender in the 

 earlier stages and intolerant of rough treatment. One farmer on the 

 Clarence lately affirmed his belief in sets of one eye each, holding that they 

 come up quickest, and that it takes less cane to plant a given area. A crop 

 that he planted on these lines will be watched with interest, but on the 

 whole a longer set seems to have the sanction of experience. Groenewege, 

 discussing the occurrence of gumming in Java, makes the remark that 

 " cuttings with one node only should never be used." 



Damage is often done when the canes are being cut, the ends being 

 shattered and split in such a way as to allow of the entrance of fungi when 

 the sets are placed in the soil. In the early days of the industry this was a 

 matter of small consequence no doubt, but land that has grown cane for 

 many years is now well stored with fungi of various kinds that take 

 advantage of every means of entry. Dr. Cobb found this a most important 

 point in the cane-sick lands of Hawaii, and it may yet acquire significance 

 here. 



Change of Seed. 



Change of seed seems to be desirable with sugar oane as with many other 

 crops, and no doubt this has been one reason for the numerous varieties 

 that have followed one another across the path of the grower. It is uni- 

 versally accepted that sugar cane of one variety should not be followed on 

 the same land with another plant of the same variety, and doubtless experi- 

 ence points definitely that way. Let it be interpolated, however. 



