324 REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE ON GENETICS. 
from Demerara, Barbados, and Queensland have been introduced, and it 
is stated that “D. 117 holds the lead among the recently introduced 
varieties, and is a promising cane, worthy of trial under the diversified 
conditions of the island.’”’ Among other very promising seedling canes 
are B. 147, B. 156, B. 208, D. 145, and Q. 1. 
LOUISIANA. 
Owing to the shortness of the growing season, which is limited to 
about eight months on account of frosts, the home canes in Louisiana 
rarely arrow. Seedlings from these home canes have not been obtained, 
and therefore planters have to rely upon imported varieties. Seedling canes 
from Demerara, Barbados, Jamaica, and Queensland have been imported, 
and submitted to trial on the Experiment Station. A large number were 
found to be unworthy of recommendation to the planters, others are still 
under experiment, and two of the Demerara seedlings, viz. D. 74 and 
D. 95, have surpassed all the home canes. 
D. 74 is a tall, green, erect cane with long internodes, long and deep 
roots, ratoons (i.e. sprouts for second crop) well, and has a large sugar- 
content. The individual canes are large and heavy. (See fig.) 
D. 95 is a large, purple, erect cane with long internodes, long and deep 
roots, ratoons well, has a large sugar-content, and large individual stalks. 
Blouin reports that both these canes are very hardy, mature early, and 
that their erect habit renders them better able to withstand storms and 
makes them more easy to harvest. (See fig.) 
During 1905, D. 74 arrowed in Louisiana, this being the first seedling 
that has flowered in that State.* From this it may be inferred that this 
cane is one which quickly matures. If it matures while the older 
varieties remain immature, and gives a high sugar-content, it should 
prove to be a valuable cane to sugar planters in Louisiana. The planters 
fully appreciate the value of these varieties, as it is estimated that nearly 
four-fifths of them have introduced one or both of the Demerara seedlings 
into their cultivation, and if these canes continue to flourish nearly two- 
thirds of Louisiana’s cane area will be planted with them in two or 
three years’ time. 
MAURITIUS. 
A large number of varieties of canes are grown in Mauritius, amongst 
which are two sports of the Striped Tanna that have been submitted to 
extensive trial. The White Tanna is whitish and resembles the parent 
cane in many respects, and is now held in favour. The Black Tanna, 
also a bud variety of the striped cane, presents many characters of the 
parent cane, but is not extensively grown. 
Seedlings were successfully raised shortly after the discovery of fertile 
seed in Java and Barbados, a large number of which were distributed to 
estates. These seedlings gave such good results that managers frequently 
started seedling nurseries of their own, and much confusion in nomen- 
clature followed. 
* Since this paper was written it has been announced that seedling canes have 
been successfully raised for the first time in Louisiana (Agricultural News, Barbados, 
vol. v. p. 307). 
