THEI MPROVEMENT OF THE SUGAR-CANE BY HYBRIDISATION. 333 
It is impossible at present even to speculate upon its various 
characteristics, as the seedlings were so varied, but most of them were 
yellowish-green in colour and somewhat recumbent in habit of growth. 
In all, 69 self-fertilised seedlings have been investigated, and there- 
fore it may be held that the results above given have been deduced from 
a very small number, but it clearly shows that much can be learnt about 
the inheritance in the sugar-cane by inquiring into the dominant and 
recessive characteristics of the different varieties, and then it may be 
possible to build up an ideal cane. 
OTHER COUNTRIES. 
Although, in other countries, seedling canes have not been raised 
systematically, yet records show that introduced seedlings are giving 
satisfactory results in all places where they are cultivated. 
In Pernambuco, Brazil, seedlings were first attempted to be raised in 
1890'’, and in 1899 it was reported that a seedling cane was giving 
excellent returns. It at first was immune from the “ gumming’’ disease, 
but after cultivation for some time became more or less liable to attacks 
of this disease. Since then other seedlings have been produced, which 
possess a greater immunity from disease. 
In Natal, West Indian seedlings, B. 109 and D. 95, sent from Antigua, 
have made satisfactory growth and are being cultivated on increasing 
areas throughout that colony.’® 
In Fiji, it is stated -by Knowles, in his reports during 1905, that 35 
acres of different varieties of canes are being grown for trial and for 
hybridisation experiments. This is possibly the first time that such 
experiments have been conducted in Fiji, and good results are being looked 
for.}9 
In Martinique, many of the West Indian seedlings, as well as many 
home seedlings, are giving larger yields of sugar per acre than the 
standard varieties.”° 
In Réunion there are large numbers of different varieties of canes 
under cultivation, but no mention of systematic attempts at raising 
seedlings can be found. ?! 
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 
In conclusion, it must be held, after careful examination of the 
various results, that the production of new varieties of canes by selection 
and hybridisation has proved a valuable means of improving the quality 
of the sugar-cane. The experiments carried on in the West Indies are 
most encouraging, for it has been shown that not only are the seedlings 
more resistant to certain classes of diseases through their increased 
vigour and growth, but that they also give a larger yield of sugar per acre ; 
and the results from Java, Hawaii, Queensland, Louisiana, and elsewhere 
all confirm those obtained in these islands. 
The success of the results already obtained should stimulate workers 
in this subject for greater efforts in the production of new races of canes, 
for it is not only necessary to improve the productiveness of the plant, 
but it is essential that races of greater disease-resistance be raised—for 
