218 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



with far less benefit, regarded as a feature of rotation, than 

 if they were occupied by the cow pea or some other plants, 

 widely differing in their peculiarities from the cane. When 

 the pea has been on the ground for one or two years, and 

 especially if the crop has been turned under, an immense 

 growth of the cane has followed. 



Where manures are sought for exhausted fields, the table 

 of the ash of cane would indicate that potash, in some form, 

 is highly essential, as well as lime, salt, the sulphates and 

 phosphates. These, and the other fertilizing materials, can 

 generally be procured in adequate proportions from stable 

 manures, if the latter are to be had ; but where there is a 

 deficiency of them, the land may be restored, by adding most 

 or all of the following materials. 



Potash is one of the leading manures required by the 

 cane ; and this may be procured from various sources. 

 Ashes will afford it with the most economy, and in the 

 greatest abundance. It is yielded by the slow decay of 

 vegetable matters, and stable manures. It is also procured 

 from the decomposition of many species of rocks and 

 stones. Lime, marl or ground shells. These are mostly 

 pure carbonate, with sometimes a slight addition of tho 

 phosphate of lime. Immense quantities of these exist in 

 large deposites, throughout the lower delta of the Missis* 

 sippi, and with such a tendency towards decomposition, as 

 to be easily broken down by an efficient mill: Gypsum 

 (sulphate of lime) is an appropriate and economical manure. 

 Ground bones (phosphate of lime) ; salt (chloride of so- 

 dium), and charcoal, are all efficient manures for cane. 

 Drainage, deep, thorough under-drainage, is peculiarly 

 necessary in preparing the sugar lands of Louisiana to yield 

 their utmost burthen, and choicest quality of sugar cane. 

 Drainage should not be limited to surface ditches. It should 

 embrace a systematic net- work of under-drains, with tiles 

 deeply laid below the surface, and beyond the reach of the 

 sub-soil plow, even when buried in the deepest depressions 

 between the rows. All the advantages enumerated under the 

 head of draining (Chap. IV.) will apply here. The cane 

 on such' thoroughly-drained lands, will commence growing 

 earlier in the spring than on the undrained ; it will grow 

 faster during summer, it will continue growing longer in au- 

 tumn, ripen earlier and mature a larger portion of the stalk, 

 and yield a sounder, richer juice. The expense and constant 

 repair of surface drains will be saved ; the large proportion 



