46 



its crude cast-iron point and share. These run to a depth of from 5 

 to 10 centimeters which is too deep for shallow-rooted crops like sugar 

 cane, and cut a furrow from 10 to 12 centimeters in width, thus making 

 them of low efficienc}- in covering land on account of having to make 

 four to six furrows in each row. 



When- plows are to be used for cane cultivation a better form is the 

 steel plow with land slide and adjustable clevis so that they can be 

 set to' run Just deep enough not to injure the cane by cutting off the 

 roots. 



Cane planted in the early part of the dry season usually reaches 

 sufficient height to have a leaf spread great enough to shade the entire 



Fig. 12. — Horizontal-disk stubble or ratoon shaver. (Avery.) 



land which it occupies in from three to five months after planting, 

 the time depending on the width of rows, the variety of cane, the 

 fertility of the land, the time of planting with reference to rainfall, 

 and the subsequent cultivation which it receives. It is generally 'laid 

 by" or abandoned so far as the further cultivation of the soil is con- 

 cerned after the leaves have lapped in the middle of the rows. Except 

 for missing places vsry few weeds or grasses will grow on the land 

 after this time, and the shading by the cane conserves the moisture 

 quite as well as cultivation. From this time until harvesting it usually 

 receives no attention except to be protected against the ravages of 

 insects, animals and floods. The protection of cane against the de- 



