Sugar-Cane 269 
of cane are grown. These differ greatly in their various 
properties, and they have the following colors: green, 
yellow, red, brown, black, white, purple, and mixed. 
Some varieties may be attractive to the grower, while the 
manufacturer may prefer others. This is not unlike the 
conditions with varieties of other crops. The producer 
seeks yield and resistance; the manufacturer desires 
quality and ease in handling. No one variety is best 
suited to all conditions; a choice must be made on the 
basis of local needs. 
The roots are fibrous and lateral and do not penetrate 
deeply. The root-stalk is an elongation of the stem, which 
is made up of numerous nodes and internodes varying in 
length from four to ten inches. The epidermis is polished 
and in some varieties is very thick. Leaves are alternate ; 
they are large at the base and gradually taper to the 
point, being about three feet long and in some varieties 
bearing pricks. The older leaves drop off as the plant 
grows, leaving only those near the tip actively functioning. 
A bud, called the eye, is borne under the base of each 
leaf at the node. These contain the germ from which 
new plants are produced. Each bud is capable of pro- 
ducing a complete plant which may tiller and produce 
many stalks. The seed is produced in panicles of silken 
spikes and is often infertile, but propagation is carried 
on vegetatively by planting stalks or pieces of stalks. 
Around each bud are found numerous little dots which 
produce roots when the bud is planted. In some climates 
cane bears flowers when twelve or thirteen months old; 
in other climates a longer period is required. Flowering 
takes place before the cane is entirely ripe. 
