A VERY SUGGESTIVE CHAPTER. 149 



inhabitants for various purposes, and carried to the islands 

 and countries in the eastern part of tropical Asia by their 

 inhabitants when on migratory or piratical excursions. An 

 experienced cane-grower would at once pronounce the so-called 

 ' China cane ' an imported vico, were he equally well acquainted 

 with both. To him the varieties of the latter present all the 

 various colours and habits of the varieties of the cultivated 

 sugar-cane ; but it yet remains for a careful botanical examina- 

 tion and comparison of the flowers of both to prove whether 

 the vico of Fiji is a species of the genus Saccharum or not. The 

 climate of Fiji is by its nature well adapted for growing the 

 sugar-cane, and so is the soil. This is in most places rich 

 alluvium on the banks of the rivers, loam on gentle slopes or 

 hillocks, volcanic soil of the richest description, and at the 

 bases of low hills, debris brought down by innumerable agencies 

 from the sides of the mountains. 



The cane lands are to be found in all parts of the group ; in 

 the far interior of Viti Levu, as well as at the mouths and on 

 the banks of the Eewa, Sigatoka, and other rivers ; in many 

 localities of Vanua Levu, Taviuni, Kabi, etc., and even in Ovalau 

 and some of the other smaller, though in this respect not lass 

 important, islands. The extent and richness of these lands, 

 in conjunction with a climate extremely favourable for growing 

 and maturing the sugar-cane, make all well-wishers of Fiji long 

 for the time when sugar will be manufactured there and ex- 

 ported by the hundred thousand tons, and to the value of 

 millions of pounds sterling. 



Before such results are brought about, the capitalist or 

 sugar-maker will see that it will tend to his advantage to 

 encourage the planter to grow sugar-cane, and the planter will 

 see that it will be to his profit to have a cane-mill near his 

 property. The steam and common plough will be extensively 



