DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT 41 
diminished richness in the juice. Wher che panicle 
commences to put forth its flowers, the portion of the 
stalk, immediately under it, contains a quantity of sugar, 
equal to that which may be found later in the lower 
portions of the plant; but in ratio, as maturity of the 
seed is produced, this upper part of the stalk loses its 
sweet principle, which seems to descend by its specific 
eravity toward the root, slowly, it is true, but surely, 
and at the time of harvesting the cane, there is a marked 
difference between the comparative saccharine richness 
of the upper and lower portions. In noticing this fact, 
Dr. Sicard shows the analogy between it, and what 
occurs in the case of grapes. ‘The latter in fact com- 
mence by giving verjuice. In proportion as the ripen- 
ning advances, they become more and more sweet; and 
if you only know enough to gather them at the proper 
epoch, and the temperature of the atmosphere is pro- 
pitious, you will obtain wines of a quality, by as much 
more superior as the juices of the grape are more 
elaborated, that is to say, arrived at a more perfect 
maturity.” 
PULLING OUT THE TUFTS, ETC—RIPENING. 
It has been observed by Mr. Wray, as quoted by the 
French authors, that it is the practice among the Zulu 
Kaffirs to pull out the panicles on the stalk, at the time 
that they are appearing, for the purpose of concentrating 
the juices and obtaining more sugar; but upon this sub- 
ject, Dr. Sicard says, that in taking off the panicle of the 
seed, when it commences to show itself, we will arrive 
