109 



method becomes general, our system of agriculture cannot be 

 said to have made an approach to that at present followed in 

 Great Britain.* 



Having thus prepared the soil, the cuttings of the Cane are 

 to be placed at the bottom of the furrow, and slightly covered 

 with soil — the bank formed in digging the cane-hole being 

 left undisturbed. As to the distance at which they ought to 

 be planted, it ought to be considerable in wet parishes, in 

 order that there may be free access of sun and breeze, with- 

 out which the Cane will never properly ripen. It is true it 

 would spring up with all the appearance of luxuriance; but 

 the stem would remain green, and yield scantily a dark 

 coloured sugar. In parishes, on the contrary, where rain 

 but seldom falls, and where our object is to protect the soil 

 from the scorching heat of the sun, it is allowable to plant 

 more closely. 



It has been a question with some, whether it be of im- 

 portance to take our cuttings from any particular part of the 

 stem of the Cane. The top is usually employed, being other- 

 wise useless. We may, however, naturally ask, whether a 

 part more rich in saccharine juices ought not to be preferred. 

 Sugar, it is well known, is a necessary food of the young 

 plant. During germination, the seed-lobes become sweet, as 

 well as the stalk during the tillering of corn, the neighbour- 

 hood of the bud in the stem of the tree, and the potatoe 

 about to shoot. Were we therefore to take a cutting from 

 the centre of the stem, where the juices are richest, perhaps 

 we might obtain a plant of a more vigorous growth. 



It may still farther be remarked that we should take 

 our cuttings from plants which are in a strong healthy con- 

 dition. We have an illustration of this in the apple. The 

 seeds of the golden pippin always come up with large leaves, 



* It may be here noticed, as a subject of surprise, that no one, so far as I am 

 acquainted, has made an attempt at obtaining a race of heavy draught horses. 

 Our breed of riding horses is equal to any other in the world. There can be no 

 doubt of success, were the attempt made. 



