38 METHOD OF CULTIVATION. 
Early planting, it may be said briefly, is advisable for 
several reasons. : 
1. It is conformable toa habit of growth manifested not 
only by the cane, but by several of the kindred cultivated 
grasses, as has already been shown. 
2. Ripening is secured at a much earlier period by this 
practice than by late planting. It is reached at a time 
when the days are long, and the weather favorable to the 
process of sugar manufacture. 
3. Early planting necessitates fall plowing, and assigns 
the work of preparing the soil to a season of comparative 
leisure when it can be well done. 
4. The germination of the seed is permitted to take 
place at a congenial period. A season of prolonged 
drought often commences late in the spring, which either 
retards or entirely prevents vegetation. This never occurs 
in early spring. 
5. Gypsum, a highly valuable manure to the young 
cane, is but sparingly soluble in water (1 part in 400), 
and as it acts only in the soluble state a large supply of 
moisture is necessary to the exercise of its proper influ- 
ence. In the wet weather common in early spring its 
full effect will be produced, but in dry weather it will exert 
no influence whatever. 
6. The fact that early spring planting only is possible 
in northern China, the original source of the ‘‘ Chinese 
cane” now grown in this country, strongly indicates the 
propriety of adopting the same practice here. (See Ch. 30.) 
FALL PLOWING AND DEEP TILLAGE. 
As the period of profitable tillage is comparatively 
short after the young cane plants appear above ground, 
it should be improved to the utmost while it lasts, and the 
