52 MANUAL FOR SUGAR GROWERS. 



are allowed to remain in the ground, a new growth 

 of canes arises, and these are known as first ratoons, 

 or second ratoons, etc., according to the number of 

 growths thus raised without replanting. Except in 

 soils of extreme fertility the yield of canes steadily 

 diminishes by ratooning, so that on ordinary soils 

 it is not profitable, as a rule, to grow more than sec- 

 ond ratoons. In some districts the growing of ra- 

 toons is regarded with disfavour, and fresh planting 

 is resorted to for every crop. The method of ra- 

 tooning possesses some advantages, and, if the land 

 is well tilled and cared for, would appear to be eco- 

 nomical. One point requiring attention in ratoon- 

 ing is the effectual opening up of the soil to ensure 

 the loose pulverulent condition essential to fertility. 

 It is a good plan, as soon as the canes have been re- 

 moved, to arrange the trash or leaf residues of the 

 old crop on alternate banks, leaving alternate banks 

 clear, then with a double -mould -board plough a 

 good deep furrow is made in each bank free from 

 trash ; half of the trash is now placed in this furrow 

 and the soil is drawn over it by means of the hoe ; 

 the remaining trash is buried under the other bank 

 by a repetition of the process. The trash should be 

 covered with soil as completely as possible, in order 

 to promote decay ; this decay taking place under 

 the soil will keep it light and porous, thus rendering 

 the operation of breaking up the soil of much more 

 lasting effect than if no vegetable matter had been 

 buried. All those parts of the field which have 

 been much trampled in the removal of the previous 

 crop should receive extra attention in the matter 



