228 N. H. STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



readily distinguished. This, of course, should be drawn 

 out with the superfluous cane-plants. Wheu of sufficient 

 size, the plants should be suckered down to one cane for 

 each root. In other respects, the successful grower of 

 corn will not be at a loss in the cultivation of this plant. 

 I have found a suitable time for planting to be immediate- 

 ly after the corn crop, although excellent results have been 

 obtained by planting "as late as the 15th of May in Geor- 

 gia. It will doubtless be desirable to make several suc- 

 cessive plantings, that they may mature gradually, and so 

 give more time for harvesting the crop. The land, in my 

 opinion, should be prepared in all respects as for corn. 



" Harvestijig. — When the stalk shall have attained its 

 full size, and the seed have passed from the dough stage to 

 a harder texture, the cane may be considered sufficiently 

 mature ] or, if the crop be large, and a deficiency of hands 

 be apprehended, the cane may be cut earlier, and the cuttings 

 continued from time to time, as needed for the press. Tho 

 fodder should be pulled as for corn ; another set of hands 

 cutting off one half to two feet of the top with the seed, 

 while others cut the cane at the ground and throw it into 

 piles, from whence it is handed to the press. Prior to the 

 harvesting, a set of proper rollers and kettles should be 

 provided, and well set up ready for service. 



" Boiling down. — One of the first things done, in com- 

 mencing operations, should be to start the fire under the 

 kettles, that they may be well warmed by the time the 

 juice is ready for them. The fires should be so arranged 

 tliat they may be under good control, to be forced or with- 

 drawn as occasion may require. Wlion the juice is placed 

 in the boiler, the fire should be gradually increased to a 

 simmering heat, "not to active boiling," and maintained at 

 this temperature until a thick green scum rises to the sur- 

 face and forms into puffs, seeming ready to crack. Tliis 

 scum, when fully formed, should be removed clean from the 

 surface. The heat may now be raised to boiling, and kept 



