OF AGRICULTURE, 155 



if the elements constituting the stalk and leaves of 

 the plant are, without fail, returned to the soil, This 

 is done simply by burying the bagasse and trash, with 

 the addition of lime, to hasten decomposition. If the 

 bagasse is burned, as is sometimes the case when 

 there is a deficiency of fuel, the ashes should bo 

 carried and spread on the field. 



From the above table of the ash of cane, we see 

 that potash, in some form, is highly essential, as well 

 as lime, common Bait, sulphates and phosphates. 

 These and other fertilizing materials can be procured 

 in adequate proportions from stable manures, if the 

 latter are to be had ; but when there is a deficiency 

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

 all of the following ingredients : Potash ashes will 

 afford it with the most economy and in the greatest 

 abundance ; it is yielded by the slow decay of vegetable 

 matter, and stable manure, and also from the decom- 

 position of many species of rocks, especially from 

 green sand marl. Lime, marl, or ground shells these 

 are mostly pure carbonates, with, sometimes, a slight 

 addition of the phosphate of lime. Land plaster, 

 gypsum, or the phosphate of lime, is a cheap and 

 appropriate fertilizer, as it yields the plant both sul- 

 phuric acid and lime. Ground bones or phosphate of 

 lime, common salt (chloride of sodium), seems, from 

 the analysis, to be a direct food for the plant. 



DRAINAGE. 



Deep, thorough under- drain age, is peculiarly neces- 

 sary in preparing the sugar lands of the South to 

 yield their greatest crops and choicest quality of 

 sugar cane. All the advantages enumerated under 



