L21 



required in fitting the bud, and the least possible time should elapse 

 between the cutting out of the bud and fitting it into the stock. 



Within the last ten years nearly three-quarters of a million 

 nutmeg seedlings have been distributed from Hope Gardens, and 

 many will probably soon flower for the first time ; as the male trees 

 "declare" they should be marked for budding upon Later, using as 

 bud-wood the vertical shoots of a female tree that had previously been 

 cut down, selecting a tree for this purpose that is known to yield nuts 

 of first quality, (10-SO to the pound. 



It would be well to remember, however, that about four per cent, 

 of the trees in a plantation should be male trees to provide pollen for 

 fertilizing the female flowers ; and these placed on the windward side 

 of the nutmeg walk so that the pollen may be blown among the 

 female trees. Old useless male trees may be cut down and the 

 resultant shoots budded upon. 



T. J. HARRIS. 



644.-VARIETIES OF SUGAR CANE. 



By C. F. Eckart. 



(Experiment Station and Laboratories of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' 

 Association Press Bulletin No. 1.) 



Probably no subject pertaining to the cultivation of cane in the 

 Hawaiian Islands during recent years, has held more interest for the 

 planters, in various localities, than that relating to the introduction 

 and trial of new varieties. 



In the Hilo and Hamakua districts, the Lahaina first made way 

 for the Rose Bamboo, and the latter, after a strong stand for many 

 years, is now being rapidly succeeded by the more vigorous Yellow 

 Caledonia. This cane with its upright growth and deep rooting 

 propensities has proved a most valuable acquisition in wet and dry 

 localities alike. Growing erect, with a natural tendency to shed its 

 dry leaves, it becomes an admirable cane for rainy districts, where 

 varieties that are prone to fall to the ground and remain in contact 

 with a frequently saturated soil have shown extreme sensitiveness. 

 The frequent stripping, required for Lahaina and Rose Bamboo in 

 these wet places, has necessarily added to the cost of cultivation, and 

 the ready manner in which Yellow Caledonia tends to strip itself is 

 no small item in favour of economy. Again the manner in which it 

 keeps clown weeds, which were such a menace to its predecessors on 

 the unirrigated plantations, is another strong point in its favour. In 

 dry districts subject to occasional drought, it has amply demonstrated 

 its hardihood over Rose Bamboo, which in turn is more resistant to 

 such unfavourable climatic features than Lahaina. By sending its 

 roots down deep into the soil it draws from a larger reserve supply of 

 water than the older varieties, which are more shallow feeders and 

 which soon feel the effects of a rainless period. 



The substitution of hardier varieties, in localities subject to 

 varying and adverse weather conditions with their train of insect and 

 fungus depredations, as well as the constant aim to produce a cane of 

 higher sucrose content, less fibre, and superior milling qualities in 

 more favoured regions, has formed a subject for continued investiga- 

 tion in nearly all sugar growing countries. Within the past ten years 



