266 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



which considerations, added to that of its 

 not impoverishing the soil so much as the 

 other, render it very doubtful whether the 

 ultimate benefit will be so great as was ex- 

 pected." 



The manner of planting the sugar-cane, 

 and the manufacture of it, are so well known 

 as to require no lengthened description. The 

 soil should be rich, deep, and free, the situa- 

 tion warm, and such as has, at least, mode- 

 rate seasons. 



Previous to digging the cane-holes, the 

 land is lined into small squares of three feet 

 and a half, marked by pegs ; and a negro is 

 placed opposite to each square to dig up the 

 mould, and form a trench six or eight inches 

 deep, throwing the mould into a bank, form- 

 ing ridges like the plough, which instrument 

 of agriculture has been successfully intro- 

 duced on many plantations, where the na- 

 ture of the land will admit. These ridges of 

 earth are afterwards gradually drawn round 

 the roots of canes as they grow. The cut- 

 tings or plants of the canes, containing five 

 or six germes or eyes, are placed horizontally 

 at the bottom of the holes, and covered with 

 mould from the banks about two inches 

 deep. In twelve or fourteen days the 



