216 THE AFRICAN SUGAR CANE. 
its juice, so as to yield its maximum quantity of saccha- 
rine matter. 
If, after a season of long-continued showery weather, 
a period of dry weather occurs just as it ripens, then 
the juice is more especially abundant, and rich in 
sugar. 
Soils highly manured with animal manure, or, in fact, 
with any which abound in ammonia and other saline 
substances, tend to the formation of a large, luxuriant 
plant, but its juice under such circumstances is so muci- 
laginous and saline as to render it extremely unsuitable 
for sugar manufacture, hence such treatment should be 
studiously avoided. . 
The same rule applies in the case of the sugar cane, 
beet root, and other sugar-yielding plants; and if it be 
violated, the result is certain to be disappointment and 
vexation. 
MopE oF CULTURE.—I have, in some instances, soaked 
the seed of the imphee for twenty-four and even forty- 
eight hours, in warm water, previous to planting them, 
in order to expedite their germination, as seeds so treated 
will, in warm, moist weather, be up in four days after- 
wards; whereas, being planted (during showery weather) 
without this assistance, they usually take six or seven 
days for sprouting. If, after planting, dry weather sets 
in, they will, however, require ten or even fourteen days 
to appear above ground; but by being well soaked 
beforehand this casualty is materially obviated. Hence 
I hold the practice to be a prudent one. 
The seed requires to be very lightly covered; for, if 
deeply set, it is liable to rot, should much rain occur 
