CANE SUGAR. 



under the name of Portii, Lahaina and Keni-keni. Harrison and Jenman* 

 identify Bourbon, Cuban, Lahaina, and Otaheite, but separate Keni-keni. 

 This difference of opinion can be reconciled by assuming that there are two 

 similar canes, and that the names proper to one variety have been applied to 

 the other ; great probability is lent to this view in the following account of the 

 origin of the Lahaina cane: 



Mr. D. D. Baldwin, in a letter appearing in the Hawaiian Planters' 

 Monthly, for May, 1882, states that in 1854 Captain Edwards, in the ship 

 'George Washington,' brought two varieties of cane from Otaheite (not from the 

 Marquesas) ; these two varieties are now (1882) known as Cuban and Lahaina, 

 the Cuban also obtaining the name 'Oudinot.' To the Cuban was also applied 

 the term Keni-keni, from the native term Mnikini, * numerous,' in reference 

 to the prolific nature of the cane. 



Mr. Baldwin thus distinguishes between these two canes. 



Lahaina. Long straight leaves of light colour, heavily aculeated, or 

 covered with prickles at the base, with small round prominent buds. 



Cuban. Leaves of darker green, bending down in graceful curves, with 

 no prickles, and large triangular buds, located in little cavities on the side of 

 the cane stalk. 



Mr. Baldwin further states that in 1861-62, Cuban was the favourite 

 cane, and that it afterwards gave way to Lahaina, the latter possessing these 

 advantages : rapid growth, deep rooting, hard rind when mature, superior 

 richness of juice, firm compact fibre, making the trash easy to handle, and 

 enhancing its value as fuel. 



The Louzier cane is one that has been and still is extensively grown in 

 Mauritius, and its origin is entirely different. In a letter received by the 

 writer in 1908, from M. Auguste Yillele, of Mauritius, its origin is stated as 

 follows : In 1868 or 1869, M. Lavignac introduced into Mauritius several 

 varieties of cane from New Caledonia, amongst which was the Mignonne, a 

 red and green striped cane. This cane when cultivated was noticed by 

 M. Louzier to throw sports, and from a yellow sport was developed the cane- 

 which for many years formed the standard cane of Mauritius. It is certain 

 that the Louzier cane, which has travelled from Mauritius to other districts, is 

 not to be distinguished from the Yellow Otaheite cane (or canes) ; and the 

 writer, who has seen the Bourbon, the Lahaina, and the Louzier on the large 

 scale in Demerara, in Hawaii, and in Mauritius, has no hesitation in saying 

 that grown on the large scale they are indistinguishable. It is then reasonable 

 to suppose that the Lahaina and Bourbon canes, although introduced as self- 

 coloured canes, were originally in Otaheite sports from the cane introduced 

 into Mauritius in 1868 or 1869 under the name Mignonne, and that in Otaheite 

 the latter was cultivated by the natives as a separate cane. 



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