SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF GROUND, ETC. 109 



with a warm exposure; and the crop, if in drills, should be planted 

 with them generally running east and west, so that the fullest access 

 of sun and heat may be secured. 



If pi-acticable, the field should be chosen so as to be sheltered from 

 heavy winds, which, by prostrating the crop, increase greatlv the ex- 

 pense of harvesting, and injure its quality. 



The character of soil aud fertilization necessary, will be the subject 

 of a special chapter. 



Preparation of the Soil. 



Having selected the field, the aim should be to put it in a condition 

 of pei-fect tilth, more like a garden than a field, by continual cuhiva- 

 ation, efi^ectually destroying weeds, and thoroughly pulverizing the 

 soil, so that subsequent cultivation is rendered easy and rapid. 



To this end it should be constantly remembered, that anv additional 

 labor at the outset, iu prejjariug the soil for the crop, saves more than 

 its equivalent iu after cultivation, aud greatly increases the value of 

 the crop. The main points are, first, to see that the weeds shall not 

 be allowed to get the start of the crojD ; and it is, therefore, to be ad- 

 vised strongly to run a cultivator over the ground, and drag and re- 

 diag the ground within a day of the time of planting, so that no weeds 

 shall have even a day's start of the croj). Xext to secure at the outset 

 a good, even stand of cane, aud avoid any occasion for replanting : not 

 so much on account of the trouble aud additicmal expense, as that, by 

 replanting, it is impossible to have all the crop come to maturity at the 

 same time — a matter of the utmost importance in the production of 

 sugar. 



Owing to the importance of having a field free from weeds, it would 

 be well to have sorghum follow some hoed crop (as corn, potatoes, or 

 tobacco) ; or, if such land is not available, to secure the destruction of 

 the weeds by fall plowing and continuous working of the land until 

 ready to put iu the seed. 



By deep fall plowing a deep tilth is secured, favorable to the full 

 development of the roots of sorghum, and assists it to withstand drought ; 

 also, it will tend to destroy, through winter freezing, those weeds which 

 may give trouble in the spring. Especially is this treatment necessarv 

 upon new land. In the spring, after having thoroughly broken up the 

 ground by deep plowing, the drag, roller, or smot)thing harrow, should 

 be used, after the ground is warm, until the soil is suitable f^r a 

 garden, free from weeds, lumps, and litter, smooth, and ready for 

 planting. 



