144 STUDIES IN INDIAN SUGARCANES 



difficult tlujig to obtain an average series of the figures, and the general result 

 of investigation seems to demonstrate that it is impossible to obtain an average 

 cane, and therefore, in its j)lace, an ideal cane has been built up for each variety 

 and group in these respects. The results have been reduced to curves which 

 show the diftcrences sufficiently M'ell, but it may be mentioned that some of 

 these curves are based on as many as 10,000 individual measurements, and it 

 becomes a question if this amount of labour is justified by the result. The 

 answer to this question can only be obtained by an inspection of the curves 

 reproduced, but, in a classification built up on a morphological .study of vegeta- 

 tive organs in closely alhed cultivated plants, one object is to build up a typical 

 form characteristic of the variety and group, and it is not obvious how this 

 can be otherwise accomphshed. It is worth while drawijig attention to the 

 fact that, in the end, characteristic curves of the lengths of organa in. difterent 

 parts have been obtained in each case, whereby the mode of growth in the two 

 groups is seen to differ somewhat widely. But the matter is complicated, and 

 a special note has been drawn up on it, wherein the difficulties are fully 

 discussed and the method of overcoming them described. 



A note has also been written on early and late canes in each ehunp. 

 This matter has been referred to in the two preceding Memoirs m\ Ijidian 

 Sugarcanes, and in the present paper new light has been thrown on the subject 

 by the dissection of cane stools and the study of the method of bran.chin.g. 

 Some fifty stools have been dissected out recently, belonging to twenty- 

 four varieties of canes, and some of the results are interesting. The main 

 point is that there is overwhelming evideiiice that the late canes are the 

 thickest, thus reversing earlier conclusions drawn from the behaviour of the 

 Punjab canes, late in the season. 



The examination of non-measurable characters has also involved a great 

 deal of work. So much so, that it has been found necessary to curtail the fist 

 of observed differences for lack of time to conduct the observations on the 

 necessary scale. After all, such a thii\g as a complete analysis of the differences 

 between any two living organisms or groups of organisms is ob^^ously 

 unattainable. The omission of a character does not therefore indicate that 

 there are not differences in it. As already said, there are probably a great 

 many more tliaii those detailed in this paper. 



Before proceeding to the enumeration of the characters, it is advisable to 

 state on what material the present examination has been based. As each new 

 variety is added to the collection at the Cane-breeding Station, it is the custom 

 to make as full an examination of it as is possible before planting. Further, 



