THE SUGAR CANE. 209 



and growth usually from tops than from the ripened cane ; 

 though where these are matured and a portion of the ripe 

 stalk is left with it, the resulting crops, under the most 

 favorable circumstances, are scarcely distinguishable. Fine 

 growth frequently follows planting the tops, where the land 

 is new and fertile ; but it is the exception and not the rule ; 

 and good husbandry dictates a reliance on sound, mature 

 cane only, for general use. There is no doubt, that in ac- 

 cordance with the general laws of vegetation, the cane crop 

 would be benefitted by a change of the plant cane from one 

 section of country to another. But as this would be at- 

 tended with so much trouble and expense as to preclude the 

 undertaking, the only remaining means available for secur- 

 ing improvement or preventing deterioration, is to be found 

 in planting the best qualities of seed cane. 



Preservation of the Cane. This is kept from the period 

 of cutting till planting, by simply placing it on the dry sur- 

 face of the field, in beds or mattresses, as they are techni- 

 cally termed, of about two feet in depth, and having the 

 tops shingling or overlying the ripe portion of the stalk. 

 The tops should lie towards the south, to prevent their being 

 lifted and frozen from severe north winds, which sometimes 

 occur. Thick beds preserve a more uniform temperature, 

 and repel the approach both of frost and the sun's rays ; 

 thus serving the double purpose, besides their preservation 

 from frost, of preventing fermentation during fall and winter, 

 and germination on the approach of spring. 



It is well to preserve an excess of seed cane, as continued 

 and severe spring frosts may cut down and destroy so many 

 young shoots, as to leave a deficiency, unless partially re- 

 planted. Many assert the cane will keep better by being cut 

 soon after a rain, so as to be bedded with the sap vessels 

 full, and that dry rot follows when cut after a long drought. 

 Some, however, allow it to lie on the ground and wilt for 

 two or three days after cutting, and think when thus treated, 

 it keeps equally well. 



Cane which is intended for grinding is often thus se- 

 cured, when severe frosts are anticipated. It requires ad- 

 ditional labor to top and trim it when thus harvested ; but 

 a good yield of sugar is in this way often secured, which 

 might otherwise be lost. 



Preparation for planting. Where the land is new (as 

 much of it is, that is now appropriated to cane), it is inva- 

 riably light and full of vegetable matter. Shallow plowing, 



