CORRELATIONS BETWEEN :\10RPH0L0aiCAL CHARACTER OF 

 SEEDLINGS AND THE RICHNESS OF THEIR JUICE. 



The correlations thus far studied at the Cane-breeding Station are based 

 chiefly on the characters of sugarcane seedlings of the 1912-14: period, and 

 must be regarded as an introduction rather than as a piece of completed work. 

 The data were unsatisfactory in many minor points, and it is hoped that 

 further work will follow as new series are subjected to the necessary tests. 

 The 1912-14 seedlings were examined at crop time according to a prepared 

 scheme and. although it was found necessary, during the examination, here 

 and there to alter certain of the particulars, thus destroying continuity in 

 some characters, suffieient data were accumulated fuv averages to be struck, 

 especially in the larger batches of seedlings. The heavy descriptive work was 

 under the charge of my Botanical Assistant. Mr. T. S. A'enkataramiUi to whose 

 energetic persistence I am greatly indebted. 



The correlations observed, although sometimes very distinct, do not 

 exclude very considerable irregularity in each series. This is not to be w on- 

 dered at when the conditions have been noted. The recorded results are at 

 best approximatioiis. as has been fully conceded in the sections on variations 

 among the seedlings in moiphological and other characters. The chemical 

 analyses used, a^ain, are the highest observed during petty and bulk tests ; 

 they are probably, in many cases, not a very accurate gauge of the compara- 

 tive richness of the juice and will, to a certain extent, be influenced by the 

 number of analyses taken of any particular seedling. Even then it was found 

 advisable ultimately to concentrate attention only on the sucrose contained 

 in the juice, merely noting the glucose in order to rule out obviously unripe 

 specimens. The detailed botanical descriptions were also largely consulted 

 in order to eliminate those seedlings which were abnormal in their growth and 

 either immature or overripe. The morphological characters were carefully 

 observed, but the seedlings were of unequal growth at cro[) time, there were 

 a very large number to be dealt with and the time of the staft' available was 

 strictly limited. Our knowledge of the. parentage of the seedlings was also 



