Rice is cultivated in Burma both in the Deltaic Region, with 

 a rainfall of 70 to 200 inches per annum, and in the Central 

 Region with the low rainfall of 25 to 35 inches per annum. 

 In the second of these areas rice is a crop of secondary import- 

 ance, except where irrigation is possible. 



Apart from manurial and other experiments having for their 

 object the introduction of improved methods of cultivation, the 

 Department of Agriculture in Burma is carrying on experi- 

 ments for the improvement of the rice grain. The chief 

 objects of these experiments are : 



(i) The elimination of red-grained and awned varieties of 

 rice. 



(ii) The production of grain which shall be free from awns 

 and red skin, and shall be of uniform size, vitreous in appear- 

 ance when husked, and spheroidal rather than cylindrical in 

 shape. 



(iii) The avoidance of dirt and foreign seed in shipments of 

 rice. 



This work is being done at the Mandalay and Honwabi 

 Experiment Stations, and a brief description of the methods 

 followed is given in the paper. 



The CHAIRMAN : We now pass on to the important subject 

 of sugar. The first two papers dealing with this subject will 

 be read by Dr. C. A. Barber, and a third by Mr. G. E. 

 Bodkin. 



THE SUGAR CANE IN INDIA. 



By Dr. C. A. BARBER, 

 Government Sugar Cane Expert in India. 



[ABSTRACT.] 



The native canes of India are mostly different from those in 

 the tropics. Two great regions of cane growing in India, 

 differing widely in character and importance : (i) Peninsular 

 India with 250,000 acres; the varieties chiefly introduced 

 tropical ones, and the cultivation practically as in tropical 

 countries; limiting factor water; difficulties of extension. (2) 

 North Indian Tract, not in the tropics; 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 

 acres along the foot of the Himalayas from Assam to the 

 Punjab; soil and water good; limiting factor warmth; culti- 

 vation poor, and varieties inferior; conditions of growth 

 throughout the year; the growing season short and the 

 adaptation of the canes to it by rapid growth; the unsuitability 

 of the North Indian Tract for thick, juicy canes. 



