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CHAPTER VIII 



Preparation of the Land. Although the greater part of the cane sugar 

 yearly produced is manufactured from cane grown on land that has been 

 in cultivation for a number of years, and in many sugar-producing countries 

 all available land is under cultivation, in some other countries virgin land is 



FIG- 35 



still taken in, or old abandoned land that has fallowed for a number of 

 years and returned to its primitive condition is again put under cultivation. 

 In general, the operations to be undertaken in putting in new land may be 

 briefly described as under : The land is cleared of all trees and bush, the 



FIG. 



heavy wood is put on one side to be used as fuel, or, if valuable, for export, 

 the small branches, leaves and bushes being burnt in situ. Very generally 

 all this work is done by hand, and the cost, especially if heavy stones (as is 

 often the case in volcanic countries) have to be moved, is very great. The 

 more modern and economical method is to employ steam power ; engines 

 capable of use either as traction or stationary units are employed in many 



