SUGAR PLANTS. 257 



therefore, mauy varieties. Probably the most striking 

 variety characteristic is the color of the cane, which 

 may be green, red, purple or yellow, or combinations of 

 these. 



Climate, — Sugar cane is a "Child of the Sun." 

 It is cultivated in the tropics of both hemispheres. 

 Southern Louisiana is about the northern limit of its 

 successful culture. It seems to reach its best devel- 

 opment on islands and sea coasts ; hence in a moisture- 

 laden atmosphere. Cold is detrimental. 



Soil. — Sugar cane may be raised on any fertile soil 

 with proper drainage and tillage. A soil suitable to 

 the growth of Indian corn in a sugar cane climate 

 will grow cane successfully. An excess of humus 

 produces a large yield at the expense of sugar con- 

 tent. Fresh soils are not quite so good as those 

 which have been cultivated somewhat. 



Systematic manuring is not generally practiced. 

 The waste products — leaves and bagasse, are more or 

 less completely returned to the soil. Where fuel is 

 scarce the bagasse is burned and only the ashes are 

 returned. 



Sugar comes from the air and not from the soil. If 

 only the sugar was removed the soil would not de- 

 crease in fertility. Molasses contains some soil ele- 

 ments, principally potash. 



Experiments show that green manuring with cow 

 peas and other leguminous crops is beneficial. A ro- 

 tation including these crops may be more profitable 

 if they can be economically used. 



Nitrogen and phosphoric acid are more valuable 

 than potash for the production of sugar cane. An 

 excess of nitrogen decreases the sugar content. 



