AFTER—CULTURE. 45 
and figs. 2 and 3 respectively show the condition in which 
it is left after the second and third plowings. 
In the warm, mellow soil of a ridge of such form, the 
growth of the lateral roots is stimulated, as well as of those 
which strike downward into the subsoil, and the result is 
that the plants become so firmly anchored as to withstand 
prostration when full grown, except by the most violent 
gales. 
To secure the greatest benefit from the light and heat of 
the sun, the ridges should run north and south. Cultiva- 
tion should cease after the third plowing, if it is made at 
the time above indicated ; the cane soon takes full posses- 
sion of the ground, shading it and preventing the growth 
of weeds. Stirring the soil after the stalk has begun to 
shoot up rapidly, has the effect of retarding the ripening 
process and of impairing the quality of the juice. 
The objection commonly urged against the ridging of 
land for corn, does not apply to this mode of treating the 
cane, inasmuch as undue evaporation during the heats of 
summer is prevented by the condition in which the surface 
of the cane field is left at that time. 
