cane fields separated by fire rows 



is one plant crop and only one ratoon crop. In Mauritius it is not common 

 to grow more than three ratoon crops and in Hawaii, only two ratoon crops 

 are grown. 



Agricultural Operations in Cuba 



Planting of When jungle lands on the eastern end of the island are 



Cane in cleared for cane plantations, the planting is a simple matter. 



In preparing virgin forest lands, no plowing is done; the trees 

 are cut down and allowed to dry. The valuable timber is removed; the 

 remainder is burned, or that part of it which is dry enough to burn; the stumps 

 and unburned part of the trees are allowed to lie on the ground. When the 

 land has been cleared in this manner the planting consists of making holes in 

 the ground with a wooden pole shod with iron or with an iron bar. Cuttings 

 are dropped into the holes and covered with earth. The cane thus planted 

 grows from 12 to 14 months before being harvested. Notwithstanding the 

 little care given in the planting, the cane once started, yields a profitable 

 crop which is followed by ratoon crops for six to eight years or more w r ith 

 practically no cultivation. When the cane ceases to produce a paying crop 

 of ratoons, or about eight years after the first planting on the average, the 

 decayed stumps and parts of trees left on the ground are gathered together 

 and burned. The land then receives its first plowing, and is planted to cane 

 as in other countries. It is then allowed to ratoon for another eight or ten years 

 before it becomes necessary to replant. On the older western cane lands, the 

 initial preparation of the soil for the crop is of course more thorough than 

 on the newer plantations in the eastern end of the island. 



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