ENEMIES OF THE SUGAR-CANE, 
95 
Towards the middle of tlie last century, the Cliinese or 
Oriental siigar-caue liad thus multiplied to an amazing 
extent over both hemispheres, when the introduction of 
the Tabitian variet/j which was found to attain a statelier 
growth, to contain more sugar, and to ripen in a shorter 
time, began to dispossess it of its old domains. This new 
and superior plant is now imivei'sally cultivated in ail the 
Bugar-growing European colonies ; and if Cook's voyages 
hail produced no other heneht than making the world 
acquainted with the Tahitiau sugar-cane, they would for 
this alone deserve to be reckoned by the political economist 
among the most successful and important ever performed 
by man, 
Tiie sugar-cane bears a great resemblance to the common 
reed, but the blossom is different. It has a knotty stalk, 
frequently rising to the height of fourteen feet, and pro- 
duces at each joint a long, pointed, atid sharply serrated 
leaf or blade. The joints in one stalk are from forty to 
sixty in number, and the stalks rising from one root are 
sometimes very numerous* A held of canes, when agitated 
by a light breeze, affords one of the most pleasing sights, 
particularly when, towards the period of their maturity, 
the golden plants appear crowned with plumes of silvery 
feathers, delicately fringed with a lilac dye. 
The sugar-cane is liable to be destroyed by many 
enemies. Sometimes herds of monkeys come down from 
the mountains by night, and having posted sentinels to 
give the alarm if anythiug approaches, destroy incredible 
quantities of the cane by their gambols as well as their 
greediness. It is in vain to st't traps for these creatures, 
however baited ; and the only way to protect a plantation 
and destroy them, is to set a numerous watoh, well-armed 
with fowling-pieces, aud furnished with dogs. 
The rat, which the extension of commerce has gradually 
spread over the world, is still more destructive to tb© 
sugar-canej and great pains are taken to keep it in check 
by poison or by its arch-enemy the cat. 
