50 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Jury, 1899. 
after that time the sugar content is low; the advantage, on the other hand, is 
the large roots and flat stool, and consequent power to resist as much ag possible 
the ravages of grubs. A variety of cane introduced by the late Mr. Cowley on 
his first trip to New Guinea, “ Chinome,” and called on the Johnstone “ Yellow 
New Guinea,” has been cultivated there for three or four years, and seems to 
give great satisfaction. As to the future to be played in the economy of the 
sugar industry by New Guinea canes of later importation (by H. Tryon), I 
would say that several varieties give great promise, notably No. 22 Mohona, 
which is said to contain over 17 per cent. cane sugar, and to have a quotient of 
purity of 93. Others—yviz., 49 Green Barema, 5 Kiwari, 3 Barone, 15 Badila, 
and 2 Givi Givi—contain from 15 to 15°5 per cent. cane sugar, and have a 
quotient of about 87. No. 10 Yakarewa, 6 Gegon, 14 Hitan, 42 Goi Goi, and. 
7 Bongan are said to contain 12-13 per cent. cane sugar, and have a quotient 
of 82-86; while 20 Ball Dila and 24 Goru only contain 8 and 4 per cent., 
respectively, pure obtainable cane sugar. ‘These figures refer to cane about 13 
months old. From what slight information is available, it seems probable that 
these canes have a time of maximum sweetness, and that after that time the 
sugar content falls very rapidly indeed. eth 
In the Cairns district, besides Rose Bamboo, a fairly large area of Lahina is 
growing, and growers and millowners seem equally satisfied with the results. 
The proposed new central mill on the Johnstone ought to be a great success, as 
owing to the great increase in cane cultivated, and the large amount of land 
available for sugar-growing there, a second mill will be the most advantageous. 
The mill site situated at Alligator Creek is a very good one, and has deep water 
frontage on the North Johnstone. A survey of the place is being made, and 
soundings taken by the local Government surveyor. ‘The quality of the available 
land is very highly spoken of. 
The grubs did considerable damage to cane on the Johnstone last year—at 
least 300 acres must have suffered more or less, the cane’ on some farms being 
almost completely destroyed. The grub beetles are being destroyed year after 
year, but in what quantities I am unable to state. I saw some land, however, 
there on which for ten years previously it had been tried to grow cane, but with- 
out success. This had now been abandoned for cane-growing, and was fenced 
off for grazing purposes. The destruction of cane by grubs in the other districts 
is very little indeed. as 
The area under cane is steadily increasing on the Johnstone, the Herbert, 
and in Cairns, and though cane is backward the prospects for this season are 
very good. Up to three weeks ago no damage had been done this year by 
bs. 
Mourilyan plantation has advanced very rapidly by first-class cultivation, « 
and also by destruction of the grub beetle. The cane looks particularly wel] 
and healthy, and the mill work last year was very good indeed. Both plantation 
and mill reflect the greatest credit on on the manager and. his staff. 
__ Green manuring is extensively practised, eee, on the Johnstone, 
where the farmers have now had many proofs of its advantages. ‘The favourite 
there is Black Mauritius Bean. It is usual to sow about 25 lb. Black Mauritius 
Bean per acre, which yields about 16 tons of vine and roots. Preference is given 
_ to Black Mauritius Bean, since it can be left for 6 months after sowing, the vine 
is dense and keeps the soil free from weeds; while Red Mauritius Bean and 
cow pea require to be ploughed in 3 or 4 months after sowing. Of the two 
last mentioned, about 14 bushels per acre are sown. The time of sowing is from 
October to middle of December. The bean, if so planted, comes up well, and 
afterwards the excessive rainfall does not do much damage. The soil is very 
porous and the natural drainage good; water does not lie at the roots of the: 
crop. If sown in the middle of December, the crop obtained is usually poor. 
The green manure is usually sown by a kanaka, who follows behind the 
plough, when the land is being broken up or a previous cane crop is being 
ploughed out. Ploughing out costs about 9s. per acre, and sowing green 
manure about 8s. 2d. 
