CHAPTER IV. 
METHOD OF CULTIVATION (CONTINUED)—EARLY PLANTING, 
Early Planting essentially Important, and why—Analogy to 
Wheat—“ Volunteer Cane”’—Conditions of Growth during the 
First Period, and Influence of a Low Temperature—This Period 
falls within the Limits of the Meteorological Spring, in the 
Latitude of Philadelphia—Disadvantages of Planting at a Later 
Period—Reasons why a System of Early Spring Planting should 
in all Cases be followed—How the Conditions necessary to Suc- 
cess by this System may be obtained—Fall Plowing and Deep 
Tillage almost indispensable—Collateral Advantages secured 
thereby. 
Wuat mode of treatment, then, does the sorghum de- 
mand during the several periods of growth already indi- 
cated? How shall we plant so as to secure in season those 
favorable influences of soil, temperature, sunlight, and 
moisture conducive to the development and proper, to the 
nature of the plant at each particular period? Having in 
view the peculiarities of early growth exhibited by the 
cane, when should the planting begin ? 
The true answer to these inquiries, if I mistake not, will 
be found to be much at variance with the practice ordi- 
narily pursued. That a system of very early planting 
should be adopted is already indicated in the comparison of 
the cane with the oat-plant, during corresponding periods, 
and still more clearly if we compare it with winter wheat, to 
which it bears almost as close an analogy. ‘The first, or 
early period of its growth, differs from that of wheat only 
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