THE CUB A RE VIEW 13 



Cultivation with Mules in Oriente, Cuba 



Mules Superior to Oxen in Efficiency — Methods and Implements 



in Mule Cultivation — Operating Costs 



By George A. Alt gelt 



The tractor and man's cruder implements, the hoe, the knife, and the ax, all have 

 their unquestioned place in the cultivation of cane in Cuba but as time goes on more 

 serious consideration will be given mule-drawn implements and our humble, industrious 

 and economical servant, the mule. 



What follows may seem overdrawn to the practical tropical planter; the data, 

 however, are taken from actual results of twenty months of the simple cultivation 

 of cane with mules. Thousands of acres of land were handled, much man labor 

 involved, many types of implements used, and from twenty-five to forty mules were 

 kept busy from day to day. The results are tabulated from concrete facts which 

 will bear investigation. 



Plowing 



Only old cane land was plowed for replanting. Single and double mule t>'pe disc 

 plows were used. The fields were invariably plowed without burning off or bothering 

 in any way the old stand of cane, accumulation of trash, or weed growth. Of course, 

 all visible stumps were removed, but this seldom cost more than forty-eight man-hours 

 per acre and more often much less. Thick ratooning cane, standing five feet, and 

 old tall thin growths were completely plowed under by the mule disc plows, at no 

 extra cost. 



These implements happened to be of a model used some ten years ago. To 

 accomplish such work the plow should be adjusted to conditions. First, the discs 

 should be sharpened; it was also found necessary to maintain the cutting edge by 

 filing daily. Second, the plow wheels were well weighted, or you might say doubly 

 weighted. Especially were the hind wheels stabilized with heavy castings. The furrow 

 or guide wheel, however, was usually left unburdened. Third, the mules invariably 

 were worked abreast and as close together as it is possible to adjust them. One man 

 handled each unit, mules and plow. A single disc plow required three mules and 

 a double disc, six mules. Fewer animals for each type of machine were found inade- 

 quate, while more will throw either plow out of adjustment. Never should one of 

 the animals pulling a disc plow be permitted to walk in the plowed ground. It is 

 absolutely unnecessary and avoidable. Of course, plowmen must be trained to handle 

 these implements, but this is entirely within the province of a competent superintendent. 

 The superintendent naturally must know, or learn from actual experience, how to 

 sit on and work one of these plows. The cost of this breaking per acre was found 

 to be ten man-hours and thirty mule-hours where a single disc was used. With a 

 double disc it was four man-hours and twenty-four mule-hours. The double disc plow 

 is much the more economical implement. 



Getting the L.^bor Interested 

 This class of man labor here is worth fifteen cents an hour, while large mules 

 are valued at nine cents an hour. On this basis the single disc cost $4.20, while 

 the double disc cost $2.76 an acre.* The mules were a large t\pe known as the 

 "sugar mule." To do good work these animals should be well fed. One problem 

 is to get the laborers interested in the job, as the change from their usual routine 

 is not likely to appeal to them at first. A good way to interest labor is to pay 

 double while learning. Be sure, of course, to make it understood that once the 

 work is learned the pay will be less, but adequate. In all instances the work should 

 be contracted for by area well plowed. A compromise on shoddy work would 



*Add 10 per cent, of cost per acre for d^i^erhead and supervision. 



