394 FOREST CULTURE AND 
Saccharum officinarum, L.—The Sugar-cane. In- 
dia, China, South Sea Islands ; not indigenous in any 
part of America or Australia. Sugar-cane having 
been cultivated in Spain and other countries on the 
Mediterranean Sea, it will be worthy of further trial, 
whether in the warmest parts of our colony, under 
similar climatic conditions, sugar, from cane, can be 
produced to advantage. Though the plant will live 
unprotected in the vicinity of Melbourne, it thrives 
there not sufficiently for remunerative culture. But 
it may be otherwise in East Gipps Land, or along the 
Murray river and its lower tributaries. In the Unit- 
ed States the profitable culture of cane ceases at 32° N. 
L. ; in China it extends only to 30° N. L. In the 
last-mentioned country the culture of sugar-cane dates 
from the remotest antiquity ; moreover we have from 
thence a particular kind (S. Sinense, Roxb.), which is 
hardier and bears drought better than the ordinary 
cane; this kind needs renewal only every second or 
third year, and ripens in seven months, if planted ear- 
ly in Spring ; but if planted in Autumn, and left stand- 
ing for fully a year, the return of sugar is larger. 
Moderate vicinity to the sea is favorable for the growth 
of canes. 
The multiplication of all sorts of sugar-cane is usu- 
ally effected from top-cuttings, but this cannot be car- 
ried on from the original stock for an indefinite period 
without deterioration ; and asseeds hardly ever ripen 
on the canes, new plants must, from time to time, be 
brought from a distance. Thus New Caledonia has 
latterly supplied its wild-growing, splendid varieties 
for re-planting many sugar-fields in Mauritius. The 
Bourbon variety is praised as one of the richest for 
