THE HARVESTING OF THE CANE. 



In Fig. 89 (PLATE XI.) is shown a method of transferring a cart-load of 

 cane to a railroad truck by means of a fixed derrick ; this view which shows 

 a load being lifted is taken on a Cuba plantation, and a similar method is in 

 use in the Elawaiian Islands. 



The mechanical handling of the cane then resolves itself into schemes 

 for the economical transfer of the cane from the field to the receptacles intended 

 for its transport ; such complete mechanical harvesting as has been achieved 

 with grain crops does not obtain with the cane. 



TRANSPORT OF CANE. The methods adopted for the trans- 

 port of cane from the field to the factory may be thus summarized: 



1 . Animal power on roads. 



2. Animal power on tramways. 



3. Animal power on canals. 



4. Mechanical traction on roads. 



5. Mechanical traction on light railways. 



6. Mechanical traction on public railways. 



7. Aerial ropeways. 

 $. Pluming. 



Animal Road Traction. This method is now only used on small 

 properties or in larger ones as a means of bringing the cane to a central loading 

 station. The capacity of a mule on the roads usually to be found on planta- 

 tions is about one-half ton of cane at a speed of two miles per hour ; oxen are 

 frequently used, and a typical team and load is shown in Fig. 90 (PLATE XII.). 



Animal Tramway Traction. Below are given data comparing 

 the cost of mule transport on roads and on tramways. 2 



A tramway was constructed two miles long of two-foot gauge with rails 

 weighing 14 Ibs. per yard; the average load in each car was 1900 Ibs., the 

 train load averaging 11-25 tons ; this was drawn by two mules at a little over 

 three miles per hour ; the capacity of a mule on a tramway may then be taken 

 at from fifteen to twenty times its capacity on a road. 



The initial cost of the tramways, cars, and stock was $1 5, 900, and of the 

 carts and stock necessary for road transport $15,000. The saving due to the 

 decreased number of animals and carters was $22'75 per day, the cane trans- 

 ported in the same time being 240 tons. 



Animal Canal Transport. This method of transporting cane is 

 used to the exclusion of other methods in Demerara and the Straits Settle- 

 ments, where the estates are intersected with canals dug for this purpose. 

 The punts used in Demerara are flat-bottomed receptacles, constructed out of 

 -wrought-iron plates with heavy wooden bottoms ; they are about 25 feet long 

 by 8 feet wide and 3 feet deep, and hold from 2'5 to 3 tons of cane ; a mule 



161 



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