112 TILLERING IN INDIAN SUGARCANES 



(3) The term " shoots " is reserved for such as have green leaves, and these 

 vary from tiny ones just emerged above the groimd to those already forming 

 immature canes. They do not reach the top of the diagram, this position 

 being reserved for what are considered fully grown canes ; the length of the 

 shoots is indicated by a set of empirical figures, 1', 2', 3', etc., which roughly 

 indicate the relative stage of development without accurate measurements 

 having been taken. When shoots are large and have formed canes below, 

 which, it is assumed, w^ould be sufficiently matured to reap as canes at harvest, 

 they are distinguished by the letters cf, i.e., cane-forming, at their ends, and 

 such shoots are included in the formula of canes at harvest. 



(4) The term "runners" is used in rather a wide sense, as described on 

 page 104. When the initial thickening stage at the base of the young shoot 

 is interrupted, and a few thin, long joints are intercalated, after which the 

 thickening is resumed, this intercalated portion is called a runner. They 

 are specially found in late formed canes, where the space available is not 

 sufficient for free growth ; but it is to be noted that they occur more frequently 

 in some varieties and groups than in others. They are marked in the diagram 

 by an added fine parallel line along the part where they occur. Examples 

 may be seen in Plates XVIII and XXX 



(5) Attacks of white-ants and moth -borer, and other injuries, are indicated 

 by an asterisk with descriptive letters added. Shoots thus attacked are usually 

 rejeafced in forming averages, because of the disturbances induced in the 

 length and thickness of the joints following the injury. 



A couple of diagrams are appended in which these conventions are used. 

 We have selected Katha 13 and Sunnabile 13 of the li.st, as showing most of 

 them clearly (Plate XVIII). 



The formulae of these are as follows : — 



Katha 13. Canes, a + ih -i- ic -\- 5d ; shoots, 'dc + 2d; buds, 3c + 5d; 



Dead, 16 + 7c + 4c? ; Runner, Id. 



Sunnabile 1^. Canes, a-\-2b + 6c-\-d ; shoots, Ic + M ; hiids, 7c + 



14(i + 3e; Dead, 46 + 5c-f2fZ; Runner, Ic. 



A word is here necessary as to the time at w^hich the dissections were 



made. It was unfortunately impossible to dissect the different varieties at 



the same time. It is rather a tedious process, and the number done was very 



large. In the 3-4 months' dissections, the time occupied was about six weeks, 



and it was arranged to do the early maturing kinds first, and leave such late 



groups as the Mungo until the end. This was found to give satisfaction, 



although of course the observed differences in the rate of maturing were thus 



