18 THE CUBA R E V I E \V 



GRADUAL DEEPENING BEST 



There are other controlling factors in work of this kind, such as the treatment 

 of shallow soils with heavy clayey substratum, and the rapidity with which some 

 of the Cuban soils may be worked to greater depth in safety. Probably it will be 

 found desirable to increase the depth of the seed bed gradually in order to maintain 

 at all times a good degree of soil fertility. 



Light seeding is characteristic of Cuba. Usually the colono plants on the basis of 

 10 arrobas per cordel or roughly at the rate of one ton to the acre. Furrows are 

 placed about six feet apart and the seed stalks, usually carrying three eyes each, 

 are planted from three to four feet apart in the row. It is not always true that 

 light seeding results in light production, but we are sure that heavy crops cannot 

 be expected if seeding is inadequate. Hence we find the older cane lands, which 

 have been cropped many years, producing first and second stubble crops of but a few 

 tons per acre. I doubt if the average for these lands would much exceed twelve 

 tons. The reason for this condition may be because of a soil and climatic condition 

 peculiar to Cuba, but I doubt it. Of course, the canes to which the Crystalina 

 variety belongs are naturally poof stubble producers. However, all indications point 

 to the possibility of much heavier yields of this variety if better farming were done. 



The colono concedes that heavier seeding, say two tons to the acre, produces 

 heavier plant crops but finds that succeeding cuttings are less than under the present 

 system. There may be a special reason for the colono's conclusion, but it does not 

 appear under cursory investigation. The heavy Cuban soils of good humus content, 

 assuming that there is fair drainage, give every indication of greater production 

 than is secured at this time. 



SEMI-ARIDITY A HANDICAP 



The semi-aridity of much land now farmed to cane is a serious handicap to low 

 cost production. Yields are high in seasons of heavy rainfall, a result naturally to 

 be expected. These soils are usually sweet to a good depth and permit of an extensive 

 root, development but the deficiency in humus is a serious handicap. There is hut little 

 moisture retention and the plant suffers from drouth on every occasion. It is my 

 impression that the soils of good humus content, based as they are on a lime founda- 

 tion and assuming that they are of good workable depth, are capable of much greater 

 cane production, an increase over present yields of from 50 to 75 per cent. I refer 

 to the older sections where the problem presses more acutely for solution. 



The colono supplies the cane under contract ; the operating company manufac- 

 tures the sugar. So far as the practice by the companies is concerned it has been 

 one largely of manufacture. The management makes the best terms possible in treat- 

 ing with the colonos to secure cane and, for all practical purposes, lets it go at that. 

 Careful attention is then centered on reducing the undetermined mill losses and per- 

 fecting the general organization about the factory. Good milling means good opera- 

 tion, although frequently grievous field losses pass by unnoticed. The operation is 

 considered excellent because the mill records are good. 



PRESENT TREND OF DEYELOPMEXT 

 Of late many farm tractors and much improved agricultural equipment has been 

 introduced. There are tractors of all sizes and designs scattered about the fields, 

 frequently standing idle. The old methods of crooked stick farming are going into 

 the discard. Cuban soils are usually heavy and difficult to work ; hence the resort 

 to an effort at mechanical power farming. The move is economically sound and 

 should result ultimately in greater profits to all interested. However, I desire to 

 present impressions and suggestions anent this important departure that may be of 

 value. 



