2 CHAPTER I 



typical of a well-grown crop. Similarly, the weight of an individual stalk 

 will reach a maximum of fifteen pounds, the average weight in a well-grown 

 crop being six to seven pounds. 



In the early stages of the cane's growth it is erect, and in some varieties, 

 as for instance the Tanna canes, it remains so throughout the whole period 

 of its growth ; in others, as the Otaheite, its habit is recumbent, and in such 

 cases the cane is said to " lodge." 



The stalk is made up of a series of joints or internodes,/ (Fi^. i), separated 

 from each other by the nodes e. Generally the internodes grow in a continu- 

 ous line, but occasionally they are more or less zigzag. The node is usually of 

 somewhat greater diameter than the internode and in some varieties is notably 

 swollen. The length of the internode will exceptionally reach lo inches, 

 but a length of 6 inches is typical of Otaheite cane grown under favourable 

 conditions. The Tanna canes are an example of a cane short-jointed in 

 proportion to diameter, the Uba cane and the seedlings B 147 and P.O.J. 100 

 being types where the length is great compared with the diameter. The 

 length of the joint is, however, influenced by leaf development, by drought 

 or by cold weather, by soil conditions or by disease. The number of joints 

 may be as few as twenty or as many as eighty. At each node and alternately 



at opposite sides is an embryo cane known as the eye or bud, h {Fig. i). 

 It is the size of a pea or larger, and may be triangular, pointed, oval or 

 hemispherical in shape. In some varieties the eye is very swollen and 

 prominent. From the eye and running upwards appears a channel in the 

 stalk ; this channel may be well marked, or in some cases may tend to 

 disappear. 



Immediately above each joint appear from one to three rings of semi- 

 opaque whitish spots (r) ; here is the zone of adventitious roots, each spot 

 being an embryonic root. The bloomband is shown at bl, the leaf-scar at I, 

 and the growth ring at gr. 



The eyes or buds serve to reproduce the cane by means of asexual 

 propagation. Simultaneously the adventitious roots develop and serve 

 to feed the plant until it has developed a root system of its own. In some 

 varieties the eyes have a tendency to sprout while still attached to the parent 

 plant, and the sprouting will always occur when the top of the cane or the 

 vegetative point is removed or destroyed by insects or by disease. Similarly 

 the adventitious roots may develop, forming a mass of aerial roots ; this 

 development is one of the symptoms of the " sereh " disease. 



Self-coloured canes are green, yellow or some shade of red, varying from 

 pink to deep purple. Where sun-exposed, the colour may be so developed 

 as to give a blotched or marbJed appearance. Striped or ribbon canes are 



