128 TILLERING IN INDIAN SUGARCANES 



cane-forming shoots cf. The other conventions are those adopted in the 

 diagrams of full grown plants. 



Some 275 plants were dissected in 1917-18, and diagrams recorded of 

 their branching systems. These have been averaged according to variety 

 and group, but the results, although generally illuminating, show certain incon- 

 gruities, obviously requiring explanation. Thus, Dhaulu, Naanal and Mojorah 

 showed enormous and rapid development, which would hardly be expected 

 in the Bunnabile group. It was observed that each of the six clumps dissected 

 in these varieties consisted of a single plant, the two other buds of the set not 

 havin"' o-erminated, and it is obviously unsafe to compare such single plants with 

 those formed two or three together. On the other hand, in the Mungo group? 

 owing to the closeness of the joints, as many as 7 or, in one case, 11 plants arose 

 from one set, and these naturally showed, on the average, very few branches 

 (PI. XVI). The whole series was therefore again averaged, this time as to the 

 numbers of canes, shoots, etc., per clump or " hole," and this gave much more 

 satisfactory results. 



It was soon observed that there were great variations in the development 

 of the members of certain groups and it becomes doubtful if the six varieties 

 selected suitably represent them. Owing to its rapid growth, the first series 

 dissected was the Saretha group, and it was obvious that KJiari, Ganda CJieni 

 and Hullu Kabhu were much behind the rest, although it was known that 

 Chin and Saretha did not grow well on the farm, while Cheni and Hullu were 

 quite at home. This emphasizes the subdivision made in this group in Memoir 

 III, into the Brown or Katha and the Green or Mesangan sections, as the 

 same subdivision is seen in the rate of maturing. Less equal subdivisions 

 show themselves in the Sunnabile group where Dhor and SunnabUe were much 

 behind the rest, in the Mungo group where Kharwi shows as great a difference 

 in the opposite direction from its companions, and in the Thick canes where 

 the possibly indigenous Magh and Vendaumkhi are considerably behind Java, 

 Yerra and Red Mauritius. The groups in the table are arranged in the order 

 of dissection. 



