185 
Rice is qultivated in Burma both in the Deltaic Region, with 
a rainfall of 70 to 200 inches per annum, and in the Central 
Region with the low rainfall of 25 to 35 inches per annum. 
In the second of these areas rice is a crop of secondary import- 
ance, except where irrigation is possible. 
Apart from manurial and other experiments having for their 
object the introduction of improved methods of cultivation, the 
Department of Agriculture in Burma is carrying on experi- 
ments for the improvement of the rice grain. The chief 
objects of these experiments are :— 
(i) The elimination of red-grained and awned varieties of 
rice. 
(ii) The production of grain which shall be free from awns 
and red skin, and shall be of uniform size, vitreous in appear- 
ance when husked, and spheroidal rather than cylindrical in 
shape. 
(iii) The avoidance of dirt and foreign seed in shipments of 
rice. 
This work is being done at the Mandalay and Honwabi 
Experiment Stations, and a brief description of the methods 
followed is given in the paper. 
The CuarrmAn: We now pass on to the important subject 
of sugar. The first two papers dealing with this subject will 
be read by Dr. C. A. Barber, and a third by, Mr. G. E. 
Bodkin. 
THE SUGAR CANE IN INDIA. 
By Dr. C. A. Barser, 
Government Sugar Cane Expert in India. 
[ ABSTRACT. | 
The native canes of India are mostly different from those in 
the tropics. Two great regions of cane growing in India, 
differing widely in character and importance: (1) Peninsular 
India with 250,000 acres; the varieties chiefly introduced 
tropical ones, and the cultivation practically as in tropical 
countries; limiting factor water; difficulties of extension. (2) 
North Indian Tract, not in the tropics; 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 
acres along the foot of the Himalayas from Assam to the 
Punjab; soil and water good; limiting factor warmth; culti- 
vation poor, and varieties inferior; conditions of growth 
throughout the year; the growing season short and the 
adaptation of the canes to it by rapid growth; the unsuitability 
of the North Indian Tract for thick, juicy canes. 
