Book VUI. Jfland of BARBADOS... 
Grounds in England or elfewhere ; however, with this general Difference, 
that the Sugar-Canes are every Way far larger; and the Infide, inftead 
of being hollow, is full of white Pith, containing a very {weet Liquid. 
The intermediate Diftance between each Joint of a Cane is of different 
Lengths, according to the Nature of the Soil, Richnefs of the Manure, 
and feafonable Weather during their Growth ; but in general from one to 
four Inches long, and from half an Inch to an Inch Diameter, feldom 
more. ‘The Length of the whole Cane likewife depends upon the above 
Circumftances. It generally grows to Perfection in about fourteen Months; 
its then Height (the top Flag-part excluded) is from threeand an half to feven 
Feet, a Medium between both being the moft common Length, even ina 
very good Soil, and feafonable Years. The Body of the Cane is ftrong, but 
brittle, of a fine Straw-colour, inclinable to a Yellow. The Extremity of 
each, for a confiderable Length, is cloathed with many long reed-like 
Leaves, or Blades, whofe Edges are very finely and fharply ferrated: And 
the middle longitudinal Rib in each is high and prominent. 
F. Labat, in his Hiftory, fays, that there were Canes in the Ifland of 
Tobago, of twenty-four Feet in Length: If he meant this in general, his 
Affertion is a ftrong Specimen of that Vanity, to fay no worfe, which 
influences many Writers to be fond.of Relations of the marvelous Kind. 
But whoever judges of the Length of Sugar-Canes, in general, from thefe 
Inftances, if there were any fuch, may as reafonably conclude from the 
Height of one Goliah, that the Philifines were in general of a gigantic 
Stature. ’ 
Whatfoever Difference fome Soils, and very feafonable Weather, may 
occafion in the Growth of this Plant; yet in this all Writers agree, that it 
is (unhappily for the Planter) liable to one Diforder hitherto incurable, 
that is, the Yellow Blaft. 
This, among Difeafes peculiar to Canes, as the Plague among thofe 
which happen to Men, too juftly claims the horrible Precedence. 
And as the Ingenious in this Part of the World have not as yet agreed 
in their Opinions about the Caufe of this deftructive Blaft; I may with- 
out any Apology (I hope) offer my own; 7. ¢. That it proceeds from 
Swarms of little Infects, at firft invifible to the naked Eye; and as the 
Juice of the Cane is their proper Food, they, in Search of it, wound the 
tender Blades of the Cane, and confequently deftroy the Veffels. Hence 
the Circulation being impeded, the Growth of the Plant is checked ; and 
foon after it withers, decays, or dies, in proportion to their Degree of 
Ravage. 
From this Suppofition we may eafily account for the various Phenomena, 
which attend the Blaft, whether in its firft Appearance, or its further Pro- 
grefs, It is difficult to diftinguith the Blaft in its Infancy, from the Effe& 
of dry Weather; the Appearance in fome Inftances feems to bealike: 
However, the firft .feafonable Rain manifefts the Difference ; the uninfected 
Plant reaps the Benefit of it, thrives and flourifhes with great Vigour ; 
whilft 
448 
