Study of Tropical Plants

Professor Goodale and Mr. D. Ames, of the Harvard Botanic Garden, has just returned from a visit to Cuba where they have been examining the subject of the "sending" of the sugar cane. They have had an exceptional opportunity for investigating the flowers of the plant in January, through the kindness of Mr. E. F. Atkins, proprietor of a large sugar estate at Soledad, near Cienfuegos. Most of the flowers, however, were found to be too immature, but it was possible to point out to three men employed by Mr. Atkins on his plantation, the proper method of conducting the process in early February, and it is more than likely that the later experiments will be fairly successful.

The cultivated sugar-cane is grown wholly from cuttings or "sets," as they are called, and this practice has been carried on from time immemorial, until now the plants have ceased to produce fertile seeds. It happens occasionally in South and Central America, that a little seed is produced by artificial crossing, but, as a rule, the plants raised from these seeds are not much, if any, better than those from the cuttings. In Java, successful attempts have been made to carry the pollen from the flowers to such stigmas as are receptive, and the results have been excellent. These experiments have been repeated in other places with varying success.

Mr. Atkins has made a generous offer of certain very rich land on his estate for the prosecution of experiments in the cultivation of tropical plants, and it is probable that the directors of the Botanic Garden will avail themselves of it. There is now so much interest felt in the production of tropical foods, fruits and fibres, that a branch garden, under the direction of the Harvard Botanic Garden, might prove attractive and very useful. The whole subject is now receiving careful consideration and the most favored plan contemplates the establishment, in southern Cuba, of an experiment station which could be employed by advanced students who desire to familiarize themselves with the general features of the cultivation and improvement of tropical plants.