58 MOZAMBIQUE 



in cost as compared with canes which need 

 replanting much earher. The number of times it 

 will ratoon with profit depends upon the cultiva- 

 tion it receives and the soil. It has been found 

 that Yuba cane can be grown at a profit when 

 other canes will not pay expenses. 



On some estates the cane is trashed before 

 cutting ; on others it is the practice to cut lines 

 round a block of cane, enough for, say, IJ day's 

 work, and burn it, the fire cleaning the cane and 

 making it far easier to cut and handle. 



The cane being small in diameter, and very 

 hard, requires more powerful machinery for the 

 extraction of the juice. On account of the large 

 proportion of exterior to interior it necessarily 

 follows that much more dirt and foreign matter 

 is found in the juice than is the case with other 

 canes. It also requires a special course of treat- 

 ment, which, if properly conducted, results in a 

 very fine white sugar being produced. 



Practically nothing but Yuba is grown in 

 Natal, and it is fairly safe to say that had Yuba 

 not have been discovered by the Natal planters 

 that two-thirds of the factories in that colony 

 would not exist to-day. 



Yuba cane first came into general use in 

 Natal about the year 1895. It is deep-rooted, 

 sending its roots down 10 or 12 feet ; preferring 



