320 AGRICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS 



artificially supplying these essential factors of heavy cane 

 growing. 



Cane is usually planted in five to six foot rows. A 

 trench is opened in the center of the row with a plow, 

 and in this open furrow is deposited a continuous line of 

 stalks, which are carefully covered with plow, cultivator, 

 or hoes. From one to three continuous lines of stalks 

 are placed in the furrow. From two to six tons of seed 

 cane are required for an acre. In a favorable season this 

 cane soon sprouts and then cultivation begins. Each 

 young sprout, like all grasses, suckers vigorously and soon 

 the entire row is filled with cane. 



The cultivation best adapted to corn will meet all the 

 requirements of cane. It should be cultivated at short 

 intervals until "laid by," which should occur when the 

 cane is large enough to shade the soil. 



In Louisiana large quantities of tankage, cotton-seed 

 meal, and acid phosphate are used to fertilize the cane 

 crop, the quantity used on an acre varying from four 

 hundred to seven hundred pounds. 



In Louisiana one planting of cane usually gives two 

 crops; the first is called "plant cane" and the second 

 "first-year stubble" or "rattoon." Sometimes second- 

 year stubbles are grown. 



In tropical countries the cane produces crops for many 

 years, sometimes for as many as fifteen or twenty years. 

 It is extremely doubtful, however, whether it pays to carry 

 stubbles so long. 



In Louisiana canes are planted from October to April, 

 some preferring fall, others spring planting. Each coun- 

 try has its season for planting and harvesting. 



