i'»lS THE farmers' handbook. 



INDIAN CANE.* 



As is the case with all plants of economic value, Indian cane has its limi- 

 tations, and it is feared that many farmers, not thoroughly conversant with 

 it, are attempting to grow this plant in latitudes not lavourable, or in situ- 

 ations not conducive to the best results. It is a variety of sugar-cane 

 (iSaccharum o.ljicinarum), though not grown here for sugar production, and 

 it is not, as has been erroneously supposed, one of the sorghum family. 



Prior to the introduction of this variety, sugar-cane had been m cultiva- 

 tion for many years on certain areas adjacent to the Tweed, Richmond, and 

 Clarence Rivers, and the value of sugar-cane as a fodder had long been 

 known to farmers. During the cane-cutting season, which usually extends 

 from July to December, the leafy tops that are cut off in preparing the 

 cane for the mill form almost the sole food for the horses or bullocks that 

 are employed in hauling the loads. They do well, stand the work as if fed 

 on a grain ration, and finish the season in good condition and with sleek 

 coats. On most of the cane farms, portions of standing cane are usually 

 reserved for winter feed, and on account of the somewhat hard and woody 

 nature of the canes, the usual practice is to chaff them prior to feeding. 



With the advent of the dairy industry, and the gradual stocking up of the 

 farms, it soon became apparent that something would have to be done to 

 counteract the shortage caused by the failure of the paspalum pastures to 

 maintain their reputation during the winter months. Sugar-cane was tried, 

 and although it could not be stated that it improved the milk flow, it kept 

 the animals in condition; and in dry and severe weather, that in itself was 

 of immense value. Similarly, cane was fed to pigs with equal benefit, and 

 gradually cane came to be planted on many farms expressly for stock. 



Later, the introduction of Indian cane provided farmers with a variety 

 more suitable for fodder purposes, and it is now highly esteemed as a 

 valuable stand-by in times of drought. Dairymen must not grow it for the 

 express purpose of stimulating milk production, or they will be disappointed, 

 though used with regard to the nature and composition of stock foods gene- 

 rally — in other words, as part of a properly balanced ration — it has its place 

 on the average dairy farm, and may be one means of preventing many of 

 the losses that unforeseen circumstances or want of forethought sometimes 

 incur. 



In a memorandum, Mr. A. H. Haywood, when Manager of Grafton 

 Experiment Farm, compared " cow cane " with Indian cane, and referred 

 to the true utility of the latter in the following sentences: — "I obtained 

 some cuttings of cow cane from Wollongbar Farm three years ago, and 

 still have a small patch on the farm. I never enlarged on this, as it did not 

 come up to its reputation, and is infinitely inferior to Indian cane. Cow 

 ej.ne is slow in growth, is not any easier for stock to manipulate, is more 

 subject to frost, and does not adapt itself to different soils and climates like 

 Indian cane. 



"Indian cane is a splendid fattening food, especially when chaffed, and 

 is very useful for feeding in conjunction with lucerne, to dairy stock, dry 

 cows, and calves^ It has been subjected to a lot of abuse, because it has not 

 been used with discretion by dairymen who expected it to stimulate milk 

 production and were disappointed. It was never meant to be used alone for 

 that purpose, and the dairyman should feed it in conjunction with other 

 foods rich in protein. For maintaining condition on all classes of stock 

 it is most valuable." 



* George Marks, Manager, Grafton Experiment Farm. 



