IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 291 



having been cultivated in Spain and other countries on the 

 Mediterranean Sea, it will be worthy of further trial at what 

 distance from the equator and at what elevations in other 

 parts of the globe sugar from cane can be produced to advan- 

 tage. In the United States the profitable culture of cane 

 ceases at 32° north latitude ; in Japan it is carried on with 

 advantage up to 36° north latitude, and even further north- 

 ward (Qeneral Capron) ; the average yield there of raw sugar 

 is 3j300 lbs. per acre ; in China it extends only to 30° north 

 latitude. In the last-mentioned country the culture of sugar- 

 cane dates from the remotest antiquity ; moreover, we have 

 from thence a particular kind (S. Sinense, Roxb.), which is 

 hardier and bears drought better than the ordinary cane ; this 

 kind needs renewal only every second or third year, and ripens 

 in seven months, if planted early in spring, but if planted in 

 autumn and left standing 'for fully a year the return of sugar 

 is larger. Moderate vicinity to the sea is favourable for the 

 growth of canes. Prolific yields have been secured in East 

 Australia as far south as 28°. 

 The multiplication of all sorts of sugar-cane is usually effected 

 from top-cuttings, but this cannot be carried on from the same 

 original stock for an indefinite period without deterioration ; 

 and as seeds hardly ever ripen on the canes, new plants must 

 from time to time be brought from a distance. Thus, New 

 Caledonia has latterly supplied its wild-growing splendid 

 varieties for replanting many sugar-fields in Mauritius. The 

 Bourbon variety is praised as one of the richest for sugar ; the 

 Batavian variety, S. violaceum (Tussac), is content with less 

 fertile soil. Many other varieties are known. Excessive 

 rains produce a rank luxuriance of the canes at the expense of 

 the saccharine principle. Rich manuring is necessary to attain 

 good crops, unless in the best of virgin soil. The lower leaves 

 of the stem must successively be removed, also superabundant 

 suckers, to promote the growth upwards, and to provide venti- 

 lation and light. Out of the remnants of sugar-cane mol- 

 lasses, rum, and taffia can be prepared. The average yield of 

 sugar varies from 1 ton 6 cwt. to 3 tons for the acre. For 

 fuller information the valuable local work of Mr. A. McKay, 

 " The Sugar-cane in Australia," should be consulted. The 

 stately S. spontaneum (L,), which extends from India to 

 Egypt, is available for scenic culture. It attains a height 

 of 15 feet. Other tall kinds of Saccharum occur in South 

 Asia. 



Sagittaria lancifolia, Linne. 



From Virginia to the Antilles. This very handsome aquatic 



