DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT. 89 
ofcases. Dr. Sicard gives in his book a very interesting 
and minute account of the growth of the sugar cane, from 
the putting forth of the first radicle until the complete 
maturity of the plant. Our space prevents our following 
him in. detail, as we should be pleased to do. 
PROGRESSIVE GROWTH. 
The first effort at vegetation is, of course, the swelling 
of the seed, the separation of the valves enclosing the 
germ of the plant, and the putting forth of a little root. 
This root, unlike the others surrounding it, is of a violet 
hue. Its covering is impregnated with a tint on the in- 
side of the hull. The surrounding roots are of a yellow- 
ish color. The plant rarely springs up on a single stalk. 
A short time after the appearance of the stalk, suckers 
are formed, which commence to grow upwards. The 
cane throws out in rudiments each one of the internodes 
that 1t must subsequently develop, and each one of these 
bears a leaf, which acquires dimensions larger or smaller, 
according to the soil upon which it is grown. The time 
required for the cane to acquire its full development, is 
about five months; but it will be more protracted or 
brief, as the soil is suited to its nature. In this respect, 
the planter will be subject to the same vicissitudes as he 
now has in the cultivation of the ordinary sugar cane ; 
and we opine that, like this latter plant, the Chinese cane 
will be found to grow exceedingly well on the soil of a 
certain plantation, and on the one immediately adjoining 
it, give but meager results. 
The present season is, perhaps, as unfavorable a one 
