MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. " ( "> 1> 1 



On level land free of obstacles, it is advisable to plant on the square 

 Bystem. This is done by Laying the land off in cluck-. 4 feet 6 inches or 

 5 feet apart each way, by striking out shallow drills, working up the soil at 

 the intersection of these drills with a hoe, and planting the sets. This 

 method enables the land to be cultivated or ploughed each way afterwards. 



Regular and constant cultivation is required while the crop is young, 

 particularly to keep down weed growth, and also to hring about those favour- 

 able soil conditions that proper and systematic cultivation ensures. After 

 a few months' growth the leaves of the rows should overlap, the soil between 

 is completely shaded, and the crop looks after itself. 



Cutting. 



With an October or November planting, the crop should be fit for feeding 

 to stock by the following winter, when there should be no difficulty in getting 

 from 20 to 30 tons per acre. In particularly favoured situations, as high 

 as iU tons may be obtained from twelve months' growth. 



It is most important that the crop be properly cut. The future growth 

 and life of the plant is influenced to a very large extent by the manner in 

 which this work is carried out. 



The canes should be cut with a sharp implement (preferably a cane knife) 

 slightly below the surface of the soil. Breaking the canes or cutting with 

 blunt instruments damages the base of the stalks, and the surfaces do not 

 heal as quickly as they should, whilst in addition the bruised or split portions 

 favour the introduction of moulds, &c, which set up decomposition. 



Some people actually turn stock into cane and graze it off. This is 

 undoubtedly done with the object of economising labour, but the practice 

 is one that cannot be too strongly condemned, and nothing is calculated to 

 destroy a plantation quicker than this trampling and constant nibbling. If 

 the crop is not required for present consumption it can be allowed to 

 stand. 



A number of inquiries have been received regarding the suitability of 

 Indian cane for converting into silage. Good silage can be made from it, 

 either by itself or in combination with other crops, but as cane always 

 remains green it is neither necessary nor desirable to go to this extra 

 trouble and expense. 



Later Crops. 



In the ordinary course of harvesting, most of the dead leaf or " trash " 

 will have been removed. The land should then be ploughed between the 

 rows, or well loosened with the cultivator early in spring. As soon as the 

 warm weather sets in the roots will stool again, young stalks starting from 

 the buds at the base of the old canes. These will increase in number after 

 each cutting, but will become gradually weaker. The first crop, termed 

 " plant " cane, is usually the heaviest and best, whilst the succeeding cuts, 

 known respectively as the " first ratoon, second ratoon," and so on, become 

 gradually lighter until it is necessary to plough the whole area out. 

 However, with ordinary precautions, a good crop of cane will last many 

 years before it has to be replanted. 



When the cane has been planted in recently fired scrub lands, it is 

 advisable to fire the refuse or trash. This will enable a large quantity of 

 dead timber and stumps to be got rid of, and also destroy many forms of 

 borers and other insects that are harmful to cane. Where vermin such as 

 hares, rabbits, paddymelons, &c., are plentiful, it may become necessary to 

 enclose the plantation with wire-netting. 



