35 



dens, but nearly evei7 seed produces a different type of cane and the 

 use of seeds has resulted in originating many new varieties, such as 

 D. 74, B. Ii7 and H. 20. 



The varieties of cane. — In the earlier history of the cane-sugar in- 

 dustry the means of communication between the countries producing this 

 crop were poor and there was but little systematic knowledge of the 

 cane plant. Sugar was among the products shipped during the earlier 

 development of overseas commerce. In almost every country where sugar 

 was grown there were different kinds of cane, and many of these were 

 taken from one country to another by vessels carrying sugar, often with- 

 out obtaining any information as to the name, characteristics, or value 

 of the cane. N"aturally those varieties having a good reputation as sugar 

 producers were most frequently taken to other places, but the history 

 of the cane in its new home was often lost. For these reasons tlie reed- 

 like varieties of India and the elephant canes of Cochin-China were 

 spread to only a limited extent, while that from the Island of Otaheite 

 was taken to most of the countries where sugar is grown. It was gen- 

 erally given the name of the country or place to which it was taken, and 

 the place of its origin soon forgotten. When introduced into the 

 Hawaiian group it was first grown at Lahaina plantation on the Island 

 of Maui and has ever since been known throughout the Hawaiian Islands 

 as Lahaina cane. In other countries to which it has been taken it is 

 known as Bourbon, Singapore, Cuban, and by many other names. 



Philippine varieties. — According to the classification given by Deerr ' 

 there are cultivated in the Philippines at least four varieties of cane. 

 One of these is a small white cane of the Salangore type, grown to only 

 a limited extent, mostly around Laguna de Bay. In the vicinity of 

 Manila and other places where there is a demand for a long-jointed, soft 

 cane, suitable for chewing, a limited amount of a light green cane is 

 grown. This is no doubt an Otaheite bamboo variety, A very dark 

 purple or black cane, having a hard rind and dense fibrous structure, is 

 grown to a limited extent in Negi'os and some other parts of the Visayan 

 Islands, where it is said to be a very poor yielder of sugar and hard to 

 mill. It is probably one of the Tanna canes mentioned by Deerr under 

 the name of 'T)Iack Manila." 



The great bulk of the sugar crop of the Islands is proflnced from a 

 purple variety'' known by the Spanish name "cafia morada," which is 

 evidently a purple bamboo Cheribon cane. 



In addition to these the Bureau of Agriculture has introduced into 

 the Islands Louisiana striped, rose bamboo, Lahaina, D. 7i, H. 16, 

 H. 20, H. 27, H. 69, H. 227, and H. 309. 



Adaptability to climate. — In a general way sugar canes are the 

 product of the climate in which they grow and when changed from 



* Noel Deerr's Cane Suj^ar. 



•Hertert D. Walker's The Sugar Industry in the Island of Nogros. 



