Varnishing cane seat

I just purchased a new cane seat and I have heard that the cane should be varnished. It came with what appears to be a very light coat of varnish on the top and looks completely untreated on the bottom.



So, should I varnish the cane? If so, how thickly, how many coats?



Thanks.

2-3 Coats
I use Captains but I think other brands of marine varnish are fine also.

Thin
I use only one coat of very thin (50% or so) of marine spar varnish (not poly) on the top only. I think too much varnish makes the cane brittle, and prone to breaking. Not treating the underside allows the cane to “breathe”.

Ditto on thin.