L23 



In ]!)():; a small lot of Otaheite was harvested which made a 

 somewhat better showing than the above. 



The difference in yields and other characteristics, manifested by 



the same cane under different climatic conditions, indicates forcibly 

 the necessity of experimenting with a variety in as many Localities as 

 possible before it is condemned as a poor sugar producer in the-. 

 islands. This point is brought out most clearly in the case of the 

 Yellow Bamboo, which thrives at high elevations in Kau and at a 

 point where Lahaina would prove a failure. At the Experiment 

 Station, on a low level with corresponding differences of soil and 

 climate, the Yellow Bamboo produces only one-half as much sugar as 

 Lahaina. Another good illustration of this point is amply afforded 

 by the Salangore variety. In the Straits Settlements, after being 

 tried in competition with many varieties, it was found to take the 

 lead with Lahaina standing second. Grown at the Experiment Station 

 in Honolulu, Salangore made but a poor showing compared with 

 other canes, and owing to the limited area of land was dropped from 

 further trial in order to make room for more promising canes. 



Salangore at the Experiment Station : — 



Cane per acre ... ... ... 95,832 lbs. 



Sugar ,, ... ... ... 13,081 ,, 



Fibre in cane ... ... ... 11 '37 % 



Juice analysis : 



Brix ... ... .. ... 1767 



Sucrose ... ... ... ... 15'4 



Purity .., ... ... ... 87-15 



Climate and soil are the paramount influences exerted on the 

 sugar producing capacity of different varieties, and of these two 

 conditions it is difficult at times to note which has the more deter- 

 mining effect on crop production. At a central station where 

 varieties are grown on the same soil, a different order as regards their, 

 yields is often manifested from year to year, and if attention to this 

 change in the scale of production is supplemented by a careful com- 

 parison of weather conditions during separate periods, an indication 

 is afforded as to the localities in which certain canes may profitably be 

 tried. Another cause which tends to change such an order among 

 varieties is the difference in the rapidity in which canes become 

 acclimatised. One which becomes adapted to its new environment 

 more quickly than another, is not necessarily going to hold a superior 

 position over the other when it in turn has gradually become accus- 

 tomed to its new home. 



A difference in the time of maturing may also prove prejudicial 

 to the showing some, varieties may make when grown in competition 

 with others, and this point is worthy of consideration. For instance, 

 if we cut all of the varieties at one time > as is usually done) for the 

 purpose of comparing their relative productiveness, some of them 

 which matured earlier than others, may be already " going back " as 

 we say, and this brings them into unfavourable comparison with the 

 more slowly maturing canes. Demerara No. 95, for instance, has 

 been observed to deteriorate rapidly after it has become fully ripe. 

 This difference in the rate of maturing must also affect in some 

 measure the vitality of the seed cuttings. For instance, if we are 

 growing a dozen varieties for seed to be planted out in competitive 



