222 CHAPTER XIII 



4 inches, making 10 inches in all. Naturally, earth falls in 

 again and the cane is planted in this and then covered by 

 shallow ploughing. As cane land is valuable, fields that are 

 impossible to plough are planted by hand. Here holes are 

 made (by hoes) 1 foot by 8 to 10 inches and 18 to 24 inches 

 long, with a space of 6 to 18 inches left between the holes. 



The crop is propagated by planting canes. Seed is used 

 only in breeding work, and in South Africa it is rarely formed. 

 Healthy, vigorous cane is used, and is chosen from plant cane 

 or first ratoon cane. The upper portion is cut into lengths 

 having four or five buds each when the canes are twelve 

 months old — that is, before the rind has hardened; these tops 

 are then laid parallel at the bottom of the furrow, overlapping 

 alternately. 



Planting is dependent on rains, but takes place usually in 

 August and September, although it may be planted as late as 

 January. To prevent erosion and leaching rows, as far as 

 possible, should follow the contours of the hills, and not up 

 and down slopes. Three to four tons of tops are required to 

 plant an acre. 



Cultivation between the rows is necessary to keep down 

 weeds and is continued until the cane covers the ground. 



Harvesting. — In Natal plant cane is ready to be cut in 

 about 22 months ; ratoon crops take about 20 months to 

 mature. 



No suitable machine has been devised for harvesting, 

 consequently it is cut by hand with cane-knives. The lowest 

 portion of the plant is richest in sugar, and it should therefore 

 he cut as low as possible. It is " topped " — one or two joints 

 taken off with the tops and trashed — i.e.. the leaves removed. 

 The canes are collected by wagon, trams, trains, overhead 

 cables, etc., and taken to the mills. 



Cane usually matures from the middle of June to the end 

 of November. Maturity on the larger estates is determined 

 by chemical analysis. Where the capacity of mills is limited, 

 cutting commences in April, and may continue until 

 December. 



All discoloured canes are discarded on the fields, as well 

 as those showing rodent or other injury, as these are liable to 

 cause undesirable fermentation. 



