SUGARCANE VARIETY P.O.J. 2878 IN PUERTO RICO 
35 
The Javan variety was superior to S.C. 12/4 in sucrose content in 
both primavera ana first ratoons. Tiie percentage of sugar in cane 
of B.H. 10(12) was not markedly better than that of P.O.J. 2878 
for either year. Conditions were, however, satisfactory for ripening, 
there being less than 3 inches of rain during the 2 months preceding 
the harvest of 1930, and still less during this critical period in 1931. 
P.O.J. 2878, as an average for 9 replicated Ko-acre plats, was defi- 
nitely superior in cane production to both S.C. 12/4 and B.H. 10(12). 
The margin of superiority in the primavera crop over the nearest 
competitor, B.H. 10(12), was 8.2 tons of cane per acre; in tons of 
sugar per acre the margin of superiority was 0.65. In the first ratoon 
the margin of superiority over B.H. 10(12) was 5.55 tons of cane per 
acre; in tons of sugar per acre the margin of superiority was 0.47. 
During both crops P.O.J. 2878 produced 1.22 tons more sugar per 
acre than did B.H. 10(12). 
This variety trial indicated that higher sugar and cane production 
per acre might be secured from P.O.J. 2878 than from B.H. 10(12), 
both in primavera and first ratoons. However, it is not definitely 
known whether B.H. 10(12) or P.O.J. 2878 is the better variety at 
Central Aguirre. Ratoons of P.O.J. 2878 have not in general made 
a favorable growth. On account of this uncertainty the field super- 
intendent of Central Aguirre is no longer extending plantings of 
P.O.J. 2878. 
GENERAL FIELD PLANTINGS ALONG THE SOUTH COAST 
At Central Aguirre P.O.J. 2878 was tested in 1931 on a very 
heavy, silty, poorly drained soil under irrigation. Two cuttings were 
placed in holes spaced 76 bv 152 centimeters. Two bud cuttings of 
P.O.J. 2878 and three of B.H. 10(12) were used. The cane produc- 
tion on 7 acres was 50.5 tons per acre for P.O.J. 2878, winch was 
decidedly inferior to a similar area of B.H. 10(12) in an adjoining 
field with an acre production of 63.6 tons. The crusher juice analyses 
on carload lots of 10 to 15 tons showed no significant differences in 
juice quality, as shown in table 25. 
Table 25. 
— Crusher juice analyses on carload lots of 10 to 15 tons of two 
of sugarcane grown at Central Aguirre, 1931 
varieties 
Variety 
Date of analyses 
Crasher juice 
analyses 
Sucrose 
Purity 
(Feb. 2. 
Percent 
17.11 
16.12 
15.48 
Percent 
87.0 
B.H. 10(12) 
^Feb. 3 
86.3 
[Feb. 4 
85.5 
Average. - 
16.24 
86.3 
fFeb. 6 
15.26 
15.13 
16.11 
17.33 
17.28 
83.9 
. .do.... 
82.7 
P.O.J. 2878. 
J ...do 
84.5 
Feb. 7 .--- 
87.1 
I— . do 
87.2 
16.22 
85.1 
The general field results of the 1932 crop of P.O.J. 2878 at Central 
Aguirre are given in table 26. 
