The Sugar Cane. 



CHAPTEE XIV. 



SUGAR. 



Its commercial importance — Its original home — The progress of its cultivatioi 

 throughout the Tropical Zone — The Tahitian Sugar-cane — Description of tlu 

 Plant — Mode of extracting the Sugar — The enemies of the Sugar-cane — Tlu 

 Sugar Harvest. 



SUGAR is undoubtedly one of the most valuable products of 

 the vegetable world, and may be said with truth to be only 

 surpassed in importance by the nourishing meal of the cereals, 

 or the textile fibres of the cotton-plant. 



Our garden fruit owes its agreeable taste to the sugar which 

 the ripening sun developes in its juices. The sap of many a 



I 



