OF AGRICULTURE. 15o 



expansion of loaves as to shado the ground effectually 

 (which, if all the first operations have been well 

 performed, will be about the first of June), the last 

 furrows are thrown to the roots, and the earth slopes 

 gradually to the center, forming an elevation about 

 the plants and a depression between the rows (a water 

 furrow), which serves as a drain for the surplus 

 rains. Many of the best planters run a large subsoil 

 plow in this water furrow, which more effectually 

 drains the bed. Throughout the cultivation, except 

 when first barred off, great care should be observed 

 to avoid cutting or breaking the roots. This caution 

 is applicable to all plants, but especially to the sugar 

 cane, which requires the aid of all its roots to develop 

 and mature the plant before cold weather. Good 

 implements, good plowmen, and thorough tillage, are 

 essential preliminaries to a good sugar crop. 



HARVESTING. 



Iii the West Indies and most other foreign coun- 

 tries, where this plant is grown, the cane fully ripens; 

 but in Louisiana and other States, it very seldom or 

 never fully matures. It begins to ripen at the foot 

 of the stalk, in August or September, and advances 

 upward at the rate of about six inches per week. The 

 proper period for cutting would be just previous to 

 the heavy black frosts, or freeze ; but as it requires 

 several weeks to secure the crop, the harvesting is 

 generally commenced by the middle of October, and 

 steadily followed up till completed. This is done by 

 striking off the top (unripened part), then stripping 

 the leaves by a single downward stroke of the knife 

 on either side ; and another blow severs one or 



