104 TILLERING IN INDIAN SUGARCANES 



of the stem, so that the vertical ranks of the leaves come to lie in all directions 

 and they do not thus interfere with one another's light and air. There 

 wonld appear to be a similar torsion, though not always very obvious, 

 w^hich finds expression in the varying orientation of the buds in the successive 

 branches of the cane plant (PI. XVII, figs. 2-5, see also the dissections on 

 PI. VI), This is specially seen where, as is often the case, the branching is 

 congested low down, all the branches arising from a practically common 

 centre. In other cases it can be noted that the lines of leaves at the base 

 are not strictly opposed, but both tend to approximate to one or other side 

 of the stem, usually the outer side. This dorsi-ventrality of the shoot is 

 especially well seen in Saccharum arundinaceum, where the two rows of buds 

 are both on the outer, curving side of the later branches, the inner side 

 being altogether devoid of buds {of. PI. I, fig. 2 in the left-hand cane and 

 fig. 5 of PI. XVII). But yet another method is adopted by the plant, in that 

 while the as, and often the 6s, are straight to the base, the later formed shoots 

 are seen to curve in various directions, until a position is reached from w^hich 

 upward gro\^1;h may proceed, unimpeded by the branches already formed 

 (PI. XVII, figs. 2-5). The character of this curvature varies a good deal in 

 different varieties, and may attain considerable dimensions, and thus be 

 regarded as a varietal character of some importance. Consider, for instance, 

 the way in which the ultimate aim of the plant, to give all its shoots free access 

 to light and air, is accomplished in the different groups. In the Saretha series 

 the clump consists of straight or zigzag branches, sprawling in all directions 

 and often almost lying dowai ; in Nargori, the canes assume a vertical position 

 at the earliest possible moment and the curves at the base are comparatively 

 short and sharp. In Pansahi, while the central shoots are erect, those outside 

 curve very broadly and regularly, and the clump becomes cup-like in form, 

 and so on {see Plates illustrating the groups at the end of this Part). And 

 these various modes of grow^th, all leave their mark on the basal parts of the 

 canes composing the clump. But this curvature is further assisted by the 

 formation of runners which, again, are met with much more frequently in some 

 varieties than in others. The term needs some explanation. We have applied 

 it to those cases where, before the earlier thickening stage of the shoot is com- 

 pleted, one or more long thin joints are intercalated between the first short ones 

 and the later ones, and the thickening process commences a second time. 

 This gives the impression that the shoot, having started its growth along normal 

 lines, finds itself cramped, but has still the power of changing its position, 

 and does so by the formation of a runner. The plasticity of the fully formed 

 branch is not sufficient for this to take place, and therefore runners are usually 



