SUGAR CANB. 225 



The molasses is used in the manufacture of alcohol and 

 rum, to a certain extent as a stock-food (digestive troubles 

 are found to occur if fed too liberally), and by many as a 

 cane fertiliser. 



The " tops " are often fed to animals on sugar estates. 

 As a forage and silage crop, sugar cane has much to recom- 

 mend it at lower altitudes and parts having a good summer 

 rainfall. It is perennial, high-yielding, and of considerable 

 feeding value, when supplemented with nitrogenous concen- 

 trates. 



Disease and Pests. — Uba cane is comparatively free from 

 disease. Cane spume (Pseudomonas raseularum) does not 

 affect this variety; it is also immune to the Cane Mealy 

 bug. Cane smut {U . sacchari) is sometimes present, but 

 seldom very serious. The cane rat, and, in some places, the 

 Cape monkey, cause considerable damage. 



REFERENCES : 



' Cane Sugar." — Noal Deerr. 



Sugar Cane in South Africa."— S. A. Dept. of Agric, Bulletin No. 7, 

 1913. 



Sugar Cane Culture." — S.A. Dept. of Agric, Local Series No. 84. 



' The Selection of Sugar Cane on Scientific Lines." — E. Wuthrick. 



The Sugar Industry of Natal." — Cedara Memoirs, Vol. III. 



Sugar Cane Farming." — " Sunday Times " Supplement, March 28th, 

 1920. 



Saccharum Officinarum — The Commercial Products of India." — Watt. 

 Tropical Agriculture." — Wiloox. 



