6 THE CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. 



many centuries before it was generally known 

 and used in Europe. Indeed, it would further 

 seem that they not only possessed the art of 

 extracting the juice, but a knowledge of the 

 whole process, down to refining sugar. Strange 

 as it may seem, it was a long time in finding its 

 way over the different countries where it is now 

 so profitably cultivated. When first known, it 

 went by the name of Indian salt, and under that 

 name it was sent abroad from China to India 

 and Arabia, and thence to Rome and Greece, 

 among the costly spices, and was considered a 

 rare luxury. The cultivation of the plant grad- 

 ually extended over the different countries of 

 Europe. 



It is supposed that it was known in the south 

 of Europe as early as the ninth century, for 

 there is evidence that it was cultivated at Sicily 

 and the islands in its vicinity ; but it was not until 

 the thirteenth century that the cane became gen- 

 erally known and cultivated on that continent. 

 It has finally extended over most of the civilized 

 world where the climate is adapted to its 

 growth. For some time after the introduction 

 of sugar into Europe it was used only on great 

 occasions, such as feasts, and for medicines ; and 

 in a different form from what it is now com- 



