74 



To plant cane upon new ground the turned sod should be quite thin, but evenly 

 and smoothly laid. The seed should be planted with a two-horse corn-planter, pro- 

 vided with a rolling coulter to cut and not displace the sod, depositing the seed just 

 underneath the subsoil. The sod acts as an excellent mulch to retain moisture and 

 prevent the growth of grass and weeds, no cultivation or further attention except 

 thinning being necessary until harvest time. 



A good practice for planting cane upon old ground is to plow the land at any time 

 during early spring, but do not harrow. At planting time take a two-horse cultivator, 

 place three small shovels upon each beam, spread and fasten the beams so that the 

 shovels will work up a space for two rows each 4 inches deep and 12 inches wide. 

 Let the planter follow soon, depositing the seed in the center of this worked-over 

 space. There will be no weeds or grass for 6 inches upon either side of the plants, 

 and the cultivator will care for the space between the rows. Cane deteriorates very 

 rapidly when cut, lying on the ground in bunches, exposed to the sun and drying 

 winds, a few days of such exposure changing the sugar into glucose. 



Cane should be delivered the same day as cut, the only exception to this rule being 

 to cut and load on the wagon the evening before what can be delivered early the next 

 morning. 



Next to the importance of properly thinning the canes the necessity of having \vell- 

 maturcd, freshly cut, promptly delivered cane is the most important point connected 

 with the agriculture of this business. 



Instructions for converting an ordinary hay-rack into a cane-rack will be furnished 

 by the cane agent. Each wagon must be provided with two ropes, each three-fourths 

 of an inch in diameter and 35 feet long, by which the cane is unloaded. The cane 

 must be loaded so the tops project over the right side of the rack, facing the team. 



REPORT OF E. A. v. SCHWEINITZ. 



The character of the growing season of 1888, for sorghum, in the 

 vicinity of Conway Springs, record of which was kept by Mr. J. M. 

 Wilson, the cane-grower, was the following: 



From April 10 to 21, when the first planting was made, the ground 

 was still cold, but otherwise in good condition. April 21 to 25 the 

 weather was cool and cloudy, followed by heavy rains on the 20th and 

 27th, and by heavy frost on April 30, which froze the ground one-half 

 inch. 



The beginning of May was clear and cool, with rain on theGth, fol- 

 lowed by clear and warmer weather np to the IGtb, with rain on the 17th, 

 warmer weather until the 24th, when there was again a heavy rain. 

 The month of June was warm, with good rains upon the 8th ; 21st, and 

 20th. 



July and August were exceedingly hot months, with scorching winds, 

 but with a good rain on July 14, and light rain on August 5 and 0. 



September and October were hot and dry, with no rain until October 

 21. The first heavy frost occurred November 4, but did not damage 

 the cane. The first freeze was on November 9. Already on October 

 25 there was light frost, but riot sufficient to kill the leaves, and by No- 

 vember 2 they were thoroughly dry and dead. 



Work stopped on November 4, and November 8 there was a heavy 

 snow-storm and blizzard. The last cane was analyzed a week after the 

 factory stopped, bat appeared as good as at any time during the season 



