SUGAB. 169 



the yellow or light colored, but in less quantity, and is harder to 

 press. Grows 011 dry lands. Scarce any other sort in Beerbhoom, 

 much in Radnagore, some about Santipore, mixed with light colored 

 cane. Grows also near Calcutta ; in some fields separate, in others 

 mixed with pooree or light colored cane. When eaten raw, is 

 more dry and pithy in the mouth, but esteemed better sugar than 

 the pooree, and appears to be the superior sort of cane. Persons 

 who have been "West Indian planters do not know it as a "West 

 Indian cane. 



2. The light colored cane, yellow, inclining to white ; deeper 

 yellow when ripe, and on rich ground, it is the same sort as that 

 which grows in the West India Islands ; softer, more juicy than 

 the Cadjoolee, but juice less rich, and produces sugar less strong ; 

 requires seven maunds of pooree juice to make as much goor or 

 inspissated juice as is produced from six of the Cadjoolee. Much 

 of this kind is brought to the Calcutta markets, and eaten raw. 



3. The white variety, which grows in swampy lands, is light 

 colored, and grows to a great height. Its juice is more watery, 

 and yields a weaker sugar than the Cadjoolee. However, as much 

 of Bengal consists of low grounds, and as the upland canes are 

 liable to suffer from drought, it may be advisable to encourage the 

 cultivation of it, should the sugar it produces be approved, though 

 in a less degree than other sugars, in order to guard against the 

 effects of dry seasons. Experience alone can determine how far 

 the idea of encouraging this sort may answer. 



Besides the foregoing, several kinds are now known to the Indian 

 planter. One of them, the China sugar cane, was considered by 

 Dr. Roxburgh to be a distinct species, and distinguished by him 

 as Saccharum sinensis. It was introduced into India in 1796, by 

 Earl Cornwallis, as being superior to the native kinds. It is charac- 

 terised by a hardness which effectually resists most of the country 

 rude mills ; but this hardness is importantly beneficial, inasmuch 

 as that -it withstands the attack of the white ants, hogs, and 

 jackals, which destroy annually a large portion of the common 

 cane.* 



Dr. Buchanan found that four kinds are known in Mysore. Two 

 of these are evidently the purple and white generally known ; but 

 as this is not distinctly stated, I have retained the form in which 

 he notices them. jRestali, the native sugar of the Mysore, can 

 only be planted in the last two weeks of March and two first of 

 April. It completes its growth in twelve months, and does not 

 survive for a second crop. Its cultivation has been superseded by 

 the other. 



Puttaputti. This was introduced from Arcot, during the reign 

 of Hyder Ali. It is the only one from which the natives can 

 extract sugar ; it also produces the best Bella or Jaggery. It can 

 be planted at the same season as the other, as well as at the end 

 of July and beginning of August. It is fourteen months in com- 



* Reports of Dr. Roxburgh, Mr. Touclict of Radanagore, aud Mr. Cardin of 

 Mirzapore, Cutna. Papers on East India Sugar, page 258. 



