122 SUGAR 



young plants lead a struggling existence during this 

 period. 



The inrush of moist air with the monsoon, which 

 reaches North India early in July, changes these con- 

 ditions almost dramatically. The period of rains which 

 follows is one of more moderate temperature, abundant 

 water, and rapid, forced growth. The water level rises 

 all over the country until large stretches become prac- 

 tically waterlogged. Sugar-cane, as a plant, is remark- 

 ably sensitive to lack of drainage, and most of the better 

 canes of North India have been wiped out during recent 

 years by disease arising from this cause. The thinner 

 canes are, however, very hardy, and commence growing 

 with great rapidity. So rapid does this growth appear 

 to be that I believe that there is nothing equal to it in 

 the sugar-cane of tropical countries. It is specially 

 noticeable in August and September, when the water 

 level begins to fall again, the canes simply shooting up, 

 so as to complete their growth while the temperature is 

 favourable. But in October the rains have largely ceased 

 and the sun has passed the Equator southwards. The 

 air becomes cool rapidly, and soon the temperature sinks 

 so low that further growth practically ceases. Canes 

 measured at reaping time, which occurs from December 

 to March, according to locality, show little difference 

 from those examined in August to September. The 

 canes mature during this period. At harvest the fields 

 are sometimes white and dried up; in the Punjab because 

 of the destruction of the leaves by frost, and in dry places, 

 such as Aligarh, because of increasing drought. 



The local canes of North India have adapted themselves 

 to these conditions in a remarkable degree, some of them 

 being even able to resist some degrees of frost; they 

 have the power of growing with great rapidity in an 

 almost waterlogged but permeable soil, and maturing 

 during the cold days between October and December. 

 It will be apparent to all sugar-cane growers in the 

 tropics that their rich, thick, juicy canes with compara- 

 tively broad, tender leaves are hopelessly handicapped, 

 and they will not be surprised to learn that such canes 

 do not usually ripen sufficiently for factory use in 



