CH A PPE, Vv. 
METHOD OF CULTIVATION (CONTINUED )—RIDGING. 
ad 
Ridging of the Land indispensable when Early Planting is prac- 
ticed—Mode of Ridging adopted—Enumeration of the Peculiar 
Benefits due to this Practice—After-culture of the Cane de- 
scribed—Illustration. 
To secure a proper drainage of the soil during the cool 
and moist period of early growth, it is necessary to deviate 
from the usual mode of planting on a flat surface. The 
advantages of early planting can be attained only at that 
period by providing a fit receptacle for the growing roots. 
However suitable may be the condition of the weather at 
this time, an excess of moisture in the soil will defeat the 
great object to be gained. Underdrainage is highly bene- 
ficial, but this practice is yet too little in vogue to be ap- 
preciated, and attended by too much expense at present 
to procure its general adoption. MRidging in this case 
secures to the young plant its prominent advantages, and 
some others during the early growth of cane which it does 
not possess. 
The ground which has been plowed during the previous 
autumn or winter should be leveled with the harrow before 
planting time, and the mellow soil afterward thrown into 
ridges 34 to 4 feet apart by the plow. If the work be 
done with care, the pulverized earth thrown from the op- 
posite furrows will form a ridge, which will be double- 
crested, or broad on the summit with a slight furrow in 
the center. Otherwise, the top of the ridge can be leveled 
4* (41) 
