108 



bestowing almost a single advantage in return. As for the 

 ashes serving the purpose of manure, it is of too little value 

 to vv^arrant our resorting, for the sake of it alone, to this 

 otherwise detrimental process. 



Irrigation is extensively employed on some estates. Its 

 most direct benefit is, that it affords a present supply of 

 moisture. Where, however, the land has been kept for 

 some time covered with water, the beneficial effects are more 

 lasting ; as the soil becomes so saturated with moisture as to 

 afford sufficient nourishment, and prevent the bad effects 

 which would otherwise be experienced during a continuance 

 of dry weather. It also serves the purpose of manure ; the 

 water being impregnated with animal and vegetable matter, 

 and, when the river flows through a calcareous country, with 

 the carbonate of lime. We may add that it causes a more 

 equable diffusion of nutritive principle through the soil, and at 

 the same time regulates the temperature at the surface. The 

 only objection is, that in certain districts it might endanger 

 the health of the inhabitants in the vicinity. 



We now come to consider the peculiar method of preparing 

 the soil previously to entrusting it with the plant cane. In the 

 common practice, parallel trenches are dug, little more than 

 six inches in depth, and the same in breadth ; a hard bank 

 being left on each side on which the earth removed from the 

 trench is raised. The defect of this system is, that only a 

 slight depth of soil is brought into cultivation, whilst the hard 

 ridge left on each side of the cane-hole must give a very 

 limited space for the development of the roots, and conse- 

 quently restrict the plant in its supply of nourishment. 



A more commendable plan is followed by a few, who 

 are in the habit, previously to digging the trenches or cane- 

 holes, of turning up the whole of the land with the plough. 

 If the cattle-penns are placed upon it, after the soil has been 

 thus loosened, and the cane -holes are then dug with the hoe, 

 we have a right to expect from the ground all the returns of 

 which it is capable. Thus, a great saving of human labour 

 would be effected, and we should also have the land better 

 turned up, and in a fitter state for cultivation. Till this 



