296 
Government ieu vere Jee 17th Pa rne 1888. 
On certain of the higher dist the island fro to time 
growths of sugar cane Fecha dis grass have ba: "ed but in 
most cases no attempts have been made to cultivate them. Mr. Parris 
some years ago succeeded in raising a few canes from the cane arrow or 
flowering shoot. Mr. Oy rke ae the same with the arrow of the parple 
produce young canes, Mer mpi them, Kno ing thas 
ses, Mr. Bovell and myself considered that a favourab opportunity 
of examining into this que offered itself during the cultivation of 
the varieties of canes which we have here. These canes were planted 
in rows of four broad by 25 feet deep, and so as to have two sets of each 
kind, in all 36 plots of 18 varieties ; planted side by side. The plots 
up by some o 
the varieties. We gave strict orders to the labores employed in 
weeding and watching the a T n. t land to dis eh to us any g 
depth of 18 inches. Some 80 or 90 plants 8 sprang up at intervals after- 
wards. We found a good deal of difficulty in keeping t them alive, as the 
sun quickly shrivelled them up; it was necessary to protect them in 
the absence of any Tertii of old cane in them, Their mo: le ofo bori 
was quite different to that of canes grov from the eyes of canes. 
Sixty plants were successfully Buspisitad and are being cultivated. 
At present they are not far enou gh a advanced in their growth to speak 
kinds, probably five or six at the jd sb: H Hunt think E worth e 
vell and myself will send you a specim ane of eae i 
January or February next, when they will be uani far adere 
to show their characteristics. The way in which they first grow is quite 
is, o ciate much more favourable for production of seed than the 
of one variety only. I have never heard of the Bourbon c cane 
predicting here fertile arrows, in ali the alleged cases of fertility the 
arrows were either those of the pu ire or white-transparent varieties 
which, as you are aware, are prone to variation. We shali again attempt 
this year to obtain the same results. Iam anxious to have the benefit 
_ of your opinion upon this year's ‘esl as of course, if we can establish 
the fact of the cane oeensiona y; and, under derai favourable con- 
ditions, producing fertile seed, it wi ill open an important field of 
: om eim, 
J. B. HARRISON, 
