Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 481 



Sabbatia angularis, Pursh. 



Nor th-Ea stern America. This pretty biennial herb is lauded as 

 a substitute for gentian by American physicians, and might with 

 its congeners be grown in medicinal gardens, though its naturalisa- 

 tion would not be desirable, as pastoral animals avoid the bitter 

 geutianaceous plants. 



Saccharum officinarum, Linn.* 



The Sugar-Cane. Most Southern Asia and South-Sea Islands, 

 seemingly spontaneous ; probably derived from one of the native 

 species there , according to Loureiro indigenous in Cochin-China, an 

 observation confirmed by Dr. Bretschneider. Sugar-cane having 

 been cultivated in Spain and other countries on the Mediterranean 

 Sea, it will be worthy of further trial, at what distance from the 

 equator and at what elevations in tropical parts of the globe sugar 

 from cane can be produced to advantage. In the United States the 

 profitable culture of cane ceases at 32 north latitude ; in Japan it is 

 carried on with advantage to 36 north latitude and even further 

 northward [General Capron]; the average-yield of raw sugar even 

 there is 3,300 Ibs. per acre ; in China this crop extends only to 30 

 north latitude ; in East- Australia to the northern part of New South 

 Wales, lat. 29|. Moderate proximity to the sea is favorable for the 

 growth of canes. The multiplication of all sorts of sugar-cane is 

 usually effected from top cuttings ; but this cannot be carried on from 

 the same original stock for an indefinite period without deterioration ; 

 and as seeds fit to germinate do not ripen on cultivated canes, new 

 plants must from time to time be brought from a distance. Thus, 

 New Caledonia and Fiji have latterly supplied their almost wild- 

 growing splendid varieties for replanting many sugar-fields in 

 Mauritius and some other places. Lately however Harrison and 

 Bell have raised plants from seeds in Barbadoes, Dyer and Morris 

 at Kew, and earlier still Benecke in Java. Thus new varieties may 

 be realized. The Bourbon-variety is praised as one of the richest 

 for sugar ; the Batavian variety, S. violaceum (Tussac), is content 

 with less fertile soil. In the Upper Niger-region a gigantic variety 

 is produced rich in saccharine principle and said to be freely seeding 

 ["Port of Spain Gazette"]. From China we have a particular kind 

 (S. Sinense, Roxburgh), which is hardier and bears the drought 

 better than the ordinary cane ; this kind needs renewal only every 

 third year, and ripens in seven months, if planted early in spring ; 

 but if planted in autumn and left standing for fully a year the 

 return of sugar is larger. A species of Saccharum, distinct from 

 the wild and cultivated form of S. officinarum, is indigenous on the 

 north-coast of New Guinea ; the stem is thin and hard, but sweet 

 (M. de M. Maclay). The Hawaian variety of cultivated cane, by 

 its rigidity and remaining straight till ripening, is particularly eligible 

 for regions subject to severe storms. Mr. R. McDougall recommends 

 the " Fiji grey " variety, particularly for Queensland, the canes grow- 

 ing quickly and being remarkably weighty. Many other varieties 



2 i 



