THE SUGAR CANE.
At the island of Tahiti (Otaheite) South Pacific Ocean, there are several varieties of the sugar cane, differing, however, in their qualities. The number of varieties are eight, and are as follow:—
1. Rutu—of good quality.
2. Avae—of indifferent quality.
3. Irimotu—a rich cane, but does not grow to a large size.
4. Patu—a good cane, of a red colour.
5. To-ura—a dark-striped cane, hard and good.
6. Toute—a bad cane, of a red colour.
7. Veu—a good cane.
8. Vaihi—this attains a large size, and is considered of the best quality. It is said by the natives to have been introduced from the Sandwich Islands.
At Manilla (Island of Luconia) the planters mention three cultivated varieties of the sugar cane:—
1. Cana negra—black sugar cane.
2. Cana morada—brown sugar cane.
3. Cana blancha—white sugar cane.
of which the black or cana negra is considered the best, from its strength and the quantity of syrup contained in it.
Mr. G.B.'s MS. Journal, 1829-30.