CANE SUGAR. 



9. The most advantageous time for the application of potash-containing 

 manures appears to be at the earliest stages of the plants' growth, and pecu- 

 niarily the use at this period of so-called early cane or potassic manures is far 

 preferable to that of even the highest quality of manures which were formerly 

 used. 



10. The presence of an excess of potash in the manures does not injuriously 

 affect the purity of the juice, either by increasing the glucose or appreciably 

 the amount of potash salts contained in it. 



1 1 . No definite information has been obtained with regard to the influence 

 of the mineral constituents of the sugar cane manures upon the saccharine rich- 

 ness of the canes; although, in the great majority of cases, canes receiving 

 potassic manures have been somewhat richer in sugar than those otherwise 

 manured. It appears, therefore, probable that increased saccharine richness 

 must be sought in the cultivation of varieties, the careful selection of tops for 

 planting from healthy and vigorous canes (by this selection, whilst the sac- 

 charine strength of best canes of a variety would not be increased, the average 

 might be greatly raised), and possibly by the seminal reproduction of carefully 

 selected canes and varieties. 



Mauritius. 5 A series of experiments made by Boname at the Station 

 Agronomique in Mauritius gave the results detailed below : 



Return in Tons of Cane per acre. 



60 



