IMPORTANCE OF FALL PLOWING. 39 
preparation of the soil for planting should be as perfect 
as possible. Deep plowing and thorough pulverization at 
a time when such work can be thoroughly done, will atone 
for some defects in the after-culture when less leisure and 
opportunity are afforded; but no subsequent efforts can 
compensate for the check sustained by the young plants in 
shallowly plowed and cloddy ground. By a proper me- 
chanical condition only of the soil can its chemical con- 
stituents be rendered available to the root. The roots of 
the cane are long, fibrous, and minutely ramified, in a deep 
soil, and the rich and rapid development of the stem is 
less to be wondered at when it is considered that, into it 
as acommon reservoir, these myriad underground conduits 
pour all at once their combined streams when stimulated 
to activity by the early summer sun at the proper time. 
Deep tillage lies at the foundation of all improvement in 
modern agriculture, and in cane culture especially it should 
engage far more attention than it has hitherto received. 
Says Prof. S. W. Johnson: “It is obvious that other 
things being equal, the deeper the soil the more space the 
roots of crops have in which to extend themselves, and the 
more food lies at their disposal. By deep culture new 
fields are discovered beneath the old, and it is possible to 
realize the apparent absurdity of more land to the acre.” 
It isnot too much to say that by this means the crop of 
cane usually obtained by shallaw tillage may often be 
doubled. 
As connected with deep culture, fall plowing is highly 
important; to early planting it is indispensable. 
1. When this plan is practiced, immediate advantage 
can be taken of favorable weather for planting, when the 
proper time has arrived. 
2. The work can be better done during a period of com- 
parative leisure, in the fall, and when the soil is in good 
