570 



Plant vs. stuhble cane for seed (pp. 110, 111). — In this experiment 

 plant cane was compared with first, second, and third year's stubble. 

 The results, stated in a table, seem to favor stubble cane. 



Varieties of cane fpp. 111-128). — It is believed that there are very few 

 really distinct varieties of cane. Very many of the numerous so-called 

 varieties differ very little from each other, and it is probable that in 

 many cases these differences are inconstant or accidental. During the 

 past three years the station has received over one hundred varieties 

 from different parts of the world and of these over seventy have been 

 successfully grown here. The following interesting facts have been 

 brought out : 



(1) The facility with wliich a variety changes its apparent characteristics under 

 chan;;;e(l conditions of soil and climate. » * * This is notably the case with 

 white canes, all having a tendency here to assume more or less a colored appear- 

 ance. This is partially accounted for by the difference in maturity between the 

 foreign cane received and its progeny here. * » * 



(2) Frequently canes of widely different characteristics when first received have, 

 by constant cultivation, gradually gravitated toward each other in general appear- 

 ance, and to-day it is quite di flicult to distinguish between them. This is i)articularly 

 the case with the lighter-colored varieties. 



(3) The gradual diminution in size and increase of sugar content of almost every 

 variety while undergoing acclimation. 



{4) The power of resisting the prostrating effects of the storms so usual here in the 

 fall, and which frequently injure seriously our home-grown or acclimated varieties. 

 This property may bo greatly modified or perhaps eliminated by acclimation. 



(.5) The impossibility of determining the value of a cane by a few years of cultiva- 

 tion here. This is rendered more apparent each year. Several canes which were very 

 unpromising the first year or two are by acclimation yearly improving and may 

 ultimately be useful, and vice versa. 



The station is growing the many varieties now on hand with a two-fold object, 

 (1) to secure a variety adapted to our wants, and (2) to properly classify the 

 varieties and eliminate all closely related subvarieties. Unfortunately for the 

 botany of cane, the nomenclature of varieties is execrable. There are no specific 

 names, common in all countries. The same cane is known in different countries or 

 localities by different names. Hence on receipt of a foreign variety its name gives 

 no indication of its presence already in our collection. 



Of the foreign varieties tried several are unworthy of extensive propagation, some 

 are improving yearly under our cultivation and may ultimately become useful by 

 thorough acclimation, while a few are full of promise. There are some who believe 

 it useless to attempt to acclimatize foreign varieties, and think that energy is better 

 expended in improving the purple and striped varieties already well domiciled. 

 While every effort should be made to accomplish the latter, the former, too, is cer- 

 tainly worthy of persistent trial. 



Brief descriptive notes are given on G4 varieties ; tabulated results of 

 analyses of single stalks of 31 varieties received from Jamaica; the yield 

 and sugar content of 33 other varieties grown at the station and worked 

 up in the sugar-house, and analyses of 23 varieties grown at the State 

 Station at Baton Bouge; and of 22 varieties grown at the North Louisi- 

 ana Station, at Calhoun. 



