62 



regarded as useful not only for disguising the unpleasant taste of 

 drugs, but also on account of the preserving influence it exerts over 

 their active constituents. It is nutritious, powerful antiseptic, demulcent, 

 etc. It is used as an adulterant in many cases and often when bur- 

 ned replaces hops is making beer. Molasses contain a high per centage 

 of Potash and are often used for the preparation of the latter. Als<> 

 they are fed to stock. Spirit, etc. are obtained by distillation. The ba- 

 gasse may be made into paper; it is chiefly used as fuel. Leaves 

 and tops when green are excellent for fodder. They may be turned into 

 Silage. The concentrated, sugar-cane juice, known as Assal-el- 

 Soucear by natives, is largely consumed, instead of Honey. 



VII : For the successful growth of S. Cane, extremely heavy 

 clays are objectionable, as well as the light sandy ones. Alluvial soils 

 are those held in great favour and rightly so, for they generally 

 consist of a mixture of clay and sand. They ought to be deep, po- 

 rous and friable. 



The presence of an excessive quantity of salt is extremely injurious, 

 for not only is the growth and development of the cane checked 

 but the juice is also affected. Deep drainage is necessary, thorough 

 cultivation, liberal manuring in the form of f. y. manure and regular 

 waterings. The soil ought to be often stirred and free of weeds. 



The manure generally used is the Baladi at the rate ot 15 or 20 

 cub. m. per feddan ; half this is ploughed in before planting and the 

 remaining half, during the final earthing up, in May. 



Though sugar cane requires regular waterings up to the time of 

 high Nile, considerable injury often results by watering the crop, 

 generally after the beginning of September. As canes approach the 

 time of ripening, two months of hot and dry weather are necessary 

 to bring the juice to the highest degree of sweetness, and if much 

 water is given, during that period, the result is continued growth 

 at a sacrifice of sugar ; besides a delay in maturity. 



Solanum melongena ; Betinghan : Eggplant ; Solanaceae. 



I : (a) Jioumi, Roumanli or Malti ; (b) Baladi. 



Rourni, is a more or less globular violet form, with fruits often very 

 large, much milder in character than the Baladi. The plant is com- 

 paratively less hardy and low ; it is not so popular but of great 



