Sugar-Cane 269 



of cane are grown. These differ greatly in their various 

 properties, and they have the following colors: green, 

 yellow, red, brown, black, white, purple, and mixed. 

 Some varieties may be attractive to the grower, while the 

 manufacturer may prefer others. This is not unlike the 

 conditions with varieties of other crops. The producer 

 seeks yield and resistance; the manufacturer desires 

 quality and ease in handling. No one variety is best 

 suited to all conditions; a choice must be made on the 

 basis of local needs. 



The roots are fibrous and lateral and do not penetrate 

 deeply. The root-stalk is an elongation of the stem, which 

 is made up of numerous nodes and internodes varying in 

 length from four to ten inches. The epidermis is polished 

 and in some varieties is very thick. Leaves are alternate ; 

 they are large at the base and gradually taper to the 

 point, being about three feet long and in some varieties 

 bearing pricks. The older leaves drop off as the plant 

 grows, leaving only those near the tip actively functioning. 



A bud, called the eye, is borne under the base of each 

 leaf at the node. These contain the germ from which 

 new plants are produced. Each bud is capable of pro- 

 ducing a complete plant which may tiller and produce 

 many stalks. The seed is produced in panicles of silken 

 spikes and is often infertile, but propagation is carried 

 on vegetatively by planting stalks or pieces of stalks. 

 Around each bud are found numerous little dots which 

 produce roots when the bud is planted. In some climates 

 cane bears flowers when twelve or thirteen months old ; 

 in other climates a longer period is required. Flowering 

 takes place before the cane is entirely ripe. 



