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402 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Nov., 1897. 
Sugar-cane Tests at Mackay. 
Rerorrs from the Northern State Nurseries at Mackay and at Kamerunga, 
Cairns, are to hand; and amongst much valuable information as to work done 
during the year, number and condition of trees and plants, crops gathered, and 
seed and plants supplied to neighbouring farmers and planters, we note the 
remarks concerning the experimental sugar-canes, and the method of dealing 
with them. All new varieties of cane received from New Guinea, Kew 
Gardens, and elsewhere are planted separately, and their habits are watched 
carefully whilst they are growing, any peculiarity being at once noted down. 
When these canes have arrived at maturity, or when ready for distribution, they 
will be tested as for mill and field before distribution is made to those engaged 
in this industry. Application was made at the Mackay Nursery for plants of 
the New Guinea McLean cane, but as it had not been tested the manager very 
properly refused to supply any plants, especially as during 1895 this cane 
did not show very favourably. ‘This year it has done exceedingly well, so much 
so that a request was forwarded by the Department of Agriculture to Mr. 
Seeliger, chemist at the Homebush Mill, Mackay, asking him to analyse that 
and some other New Guinea canes. Mr. Neeliger promptly complied with the 
request, and forwarded the results of his analysis as follows :— 
Anatysis or New Guinea Canes MocLman. 
Cane sugar ... on ox an ... 16°66 per.cent. 
Fruit sugar ... wes me eh re 524 ss 
Other organic matter ar wn cy UPR og 
Total soluble matter... a“ ors ney SPIE 
Fibre ... ners xg ont) xo op UO 4, 
Water eee Fes pc oe oo HlyAl 
Quotient of purity ... mp os = OD a 
In 1894-5, large quantities of New Guinea canes were distributed. As 
there was then no chemist attached to the Department of Agriculture, and the 
laboratory of the Government Analyst not being equipped with the necessary 
apparatus, the Colonial Sugar Refining Company very kindly granted the 
services of Mr. G. E. Holroyde, chemist at the company’s refinery at New 
Farm, to make an analysis of some New Guinea canes before they were sent 
out to the planters. he first samples submitted to that gentleman were the 
“Batoe” (N.G.), and also a seedling cane then just received from Kew, and 
named ‘‘ Kewensis.”’ 
The following is the analysis arrived at by Mr. Holroyde :— 
ANALYSIS oF SEEDLING Cane Grown av Mackay. 
Name of cane, Kewensis. 
Total solid matter ... oe on ... 22:75 per cent. 
» Cane sugar... rs) OD xo «SHO, 
» Fruit sugar... vy or ox JERE og, 
» Density rx} ote a0 om iI , 
