22 THE CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. 



its stalks and leaves will furnish an abundance 

 of nutritious forage for sustaining and fattening 

 animals. As the molasses, too, is identical with 

 that manufactured from the cane, it may be used 

 in the distillation of rum, alcohol, and a liquor 

 called ' tafia,' which resembles brandy. 



^' The greatest difficulty to be apprehended, 

 probably, would be the preservation of the stalks 

 fVom fermenting, owing to the short time left to the 

 manufacture. This, however, might be obviated, 

 as Mr. Wray informed me that, in the neighbor- 

 hood of Natal, the Zoulous- Gaffers preserved it 

 for a long time by burying the stalks in the 

 ground, notwithstanding the climate of their 

 country is very warm and damp. It will also 

 be observed, that in the manufacture of brandy, 

 or alcohol, the uncrystallizable sugar can be 

 turned to account, which in a measure would 

 otherwise be lost. Another advantage consists 

 in the pureness of the juice, which, when thus 

 converted, from the superiority of its quality, 

 can immediately be brought into consumption 

 and use. The alcohol produced by only one dis- 

 tillation is nearly destitute of foreign flavor, hav- 

 ing an agreeable taste, somewhat resembling 

 noyau, being much less ardent, or fiery, than 

 rum. 



