Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 859 



being continued as long as possible, especially in a dry season. Wbere 

 square planting permits, intercultivation is carried out first in one direction 

 and tben the otber; in drill planting tbis is impossible and the bard condi- 

 tion into which the soil gets where the implements cannot reach is one of 

 the great disadvantages of that method. Hand chipping is no doubt 

 possible, but it is a very laborious and costly matter, and the drill planter 

 must satisfy himself by going as close as he can without damaging the 

 plants. Presently the cane covers the ground completely and further culti- 

 vation is unnecessary. 



Stripping and Cutting. 



Trashing or stripping, which consists of the removal of the dead or dying 

 leaves as the cane grows up, is an operation that is variously regarded. Its 

 effect is to expose the cane to the maturing influences of light and air, and 

 on the whole there seems to be reason to consider that the effect is to 

 increase the sugar content. On the other hand, injudicious and careless 

 stripping is very liable to leave wounds through which fungus diseases may 

 obtain an entrance. Dr. Cobb made the remark that " when cane is stripped, 

 care should be taken not to remove any of the leaves that have a living con- 

 nection with the stalk, as this results in wounds that are likely to admit 

 disease It is better to remove too little than too much ! " 



The operation of trashing is practised by very few on the Richmond, but 

 on the Clarence the majority of farmers attach some importance to it. As 

 already stated there are those who specially value it as a means of ensuring 

 good ripe cane for the purpose of sets, on the ground that the buds are 

 developed by the light and air admitted, but Dr. Cobb in particular re- 

 gards the natural covering as beneficial to the eyes, except when certain 

 insects are present that shelter between the leaves and cane. 



The cane crop is removed between July and December, according to 

 whether it was planted early or late and to the conditions that have obtained 

 during growth. Occasionally a plant crop matures with unusual rapidity, 

 but on the whole it is the first ratoon crop that is cut earliest in the season. 

 The experienced grower does not need to be told that the cane must be cut 

 as close to the ground as possible; not only is the maximum weight of cane 

 obtained in this way, but also that part of the cane in which the sugar con- 

 tent is greatest and to which, therefore, the greatest value attaches. 



Harvesting has become a well-organised operation, upon the details of 

 which it is unnecessary to linger. 



(To be continued.) 



In the distance— Harwood Mill. 



