20 REMARKS OS AGRICULTURE 



On moderately high spots, where the soil is good, 

 the sugar-cane is planted in February and March, 

 The spot designed for sugar-canes is usually surround- 

 ed with a ditch, the earth dag from which is heaped 

 up round the field, in the manner of a wall, and 

 serves to defend it from cattle. After the spot has 

 been well ploughed, or dug up with the Kodali, cut- 

 tings of ripe canes, consisting of about three joints, 

 are planted somewhat slanting, in rows, about two 

 feet, or at most three feet distance, and about a foot 

 asunder in the rows. The fields must be often wa- 

 tered and cleansed from weeds. When the canes are 

 about four feet high, they are tied in bunches, about^ 

 three or four stalks forming a bunch : this permits 

 the air to circulate among them, and facilitates their 

 ripening. The canes, when ripe, are cut, and either 

 carried to the mill or to the market. 



The cultivation of the plantain is a profitable 

 branch of husbandry, requiring but little labour, and 

 making a certain return. Spots near to the habita- 

 tion are chosen for this purpose, to guard against the 

 depredations of thieves. The young plants or suck- 

 ers are taken from old plantations, and planted at 

 about six or eight feet distance each way. They 

 may be planted at any time of the year, but May or 

 October is usually chosen. The root is all cut off 

 previously to planting, except a small part with a 

 few fibres. The ground is ploughed, either before or 

 after planting, as it suits the convenience of the far- 

 mer ; and a crop of some other plant is advantageous- 

 ly cultivated on it, the first year. In the second year 

 the trees produce fruit, and continue to do so for 

 some years; each clump will produce about two 

 bunches in a year, It is necessary to plant a new 

 field at the end of three or four years ; because, when 



