15 



rows and covered, but the general practice is to place them obliquely 

 in the furrows so that one end may not be covered. In case of a threat- 

 ening frost before a field is ready for planting the unfrosted tops may 

 be cut, thrown into Leaps, and protected with leaves or trasL from the 

 action of the frost. They should, however, be embedded in moderately 

 moist earth if they are to be kept before planting for any length of 

 time. In case of frost before the seed is saved the stumps, i. e., the 

 points of union of the top with the root, will usually be found unin- 

 jured, and- these may be cut away and planted instead of the cuttings 

 just described. The larger parts of the stems immediately above the 

 ground make the best seed. 



The roots should be left in the ground until they are needed for use, 

 wLetLer for food, for starch, or for glucose. The crop can be harvested 

 at any time during the year, but the best season is from October to 

 May. The roots should not be allowed to grow more than two seasons, 

 and for most purposes it is believed that an annual harvest will prove 

 the more profitable. 



As is the case with all new and promising plants, the most extrava- 

 gant statements have been made in regard to the amount of cassava 

 which can be produced per acre. In many of the returns received 

 from our correspondents in Florida, statements were made in regard to 

 the yield which were entirely beyond the bounds of reason. These 

 extravagant statements, of course, did not proceed from any desire on 

 the part of correspondents to misstate the facts, but on account of 

 their misapprehension of them. Statements of yield are made as a rule 

 not upon accurately measured and weighed products, but upon a mere 

 glance over a field or the taking of a few hills. It is easy, therefore, for 

 the most honest and upright correspondent to fall into gross error in 

 regard to the-amount which will be furnished by an acre. In my own 

 observation of small areas and from the accredited statements of those 

 authorities which seem to merit the highest consideration, I am con- 

 vinced that on the ordinary pine land of Florida, with proper prepara- 

 tion and cultivation and appropriate fertilization, a yield of from 4 to 7 

 or perhaps 8 tons per acre may be reasonably expected. It is difficult 

 to see, however, Low it is possible for sucL yields as have been reported, 

 viz, 40, 50, and even 60 tons per acre, to be gathered. In exceptional 

 conditions, as in the case with all crops, exceptional yields may be 

 obtained, but these must not be considered in the practical study of 

 the problem of profitable production. 



The profit which the farmer may make from growing this crop, and 

 the manufacturer from using it, should, in my opinion, be based upon 

 a yield of 4 or 5 tons per acre. If it be desired to make starch from the 

 plant, we may suppose as a minimum rate of yield that 20 per cent of 

 the weight of the fresh root may be obtained as merchantable starch of 

 a high grade. On a yield of 4 tons per acre this would amount to 

 eight-tenths of a ton, or 1,600 pounds. Compare this with the weight 

 of starch obtained from Indian corn producing 40 bushels per acre. 



