SUGAR 137 



The following are the parts of a mature joint in 

 succession upwards : 



Leaf-scar. The leaves are arranged in two opposite 

 ranks, each joint bearing one leaf. In North Indian 

 canes these leaves usually remain attached after they have 

 withered, but if pulled off leave a scar behind them which 

 extends completely round the stem. 



Bud. In the axil of each leaf there is one bud, so that 

 the buds are found alternating in two opposite rows. 



Root-zone. This is a distinct band above the leaf-scar 

 and partly covered by the bud, from which adventitious 

 roots will be developed if the cane is cut into pieces and 

 planted. The incipient roots are shown as round dots 

 or eyes of a slightly different shade of colour. 



Growth Ring. This is a narrow band immediately 

 above the root-zone, generally distinguished by the total 

 absence of bloom, and often of a special shade of colour. 

 It corresponds with the ring of tissue, frequently swollen, 

 which in wheat enables fallen stems to rise by the one- 

 sided growth of the external tissues. 



These parts are all practically at the node. Then 

 follows the main portion of the joint, or the Internode, 

 more or lesss covered by bloom, an incrustation or layer 

 of waxy hairs, which plays an important part in the 

 coloration of the cane. The bloom is often present over 

 the root-zone, is absent at the growth ring, and from 

 that point increases in quantity and thickness upwards 

 until, just under the leaf-scar of the joint above, it is 

 condensed into a regular band of white colour termed the 

 Bloom Band. 



These parts, leaf-scar, bud, root-zone, growth ring, 

 internode, and bloom band, show a number of differences 

 in colour and development in different canes, so that it 

 will be readily understood that a fairly complete classi- 

 fication may be developed from a study of the joint 

 alone. I propose to select the first two alone for detailed 

 remarks. 



Leaf-scar. This is readily distinguishable as a dark 

 line round the cane. It may be accurately horizontal, as 

 in Katha, or descending towards the bud, or the front of 

 the joint, as in Pansahi. In Rheora and its allies it 



