24 BULLETIN 486, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



HARVESTING. 



With the coming of cool nights and moderately cool days, which is 

 usually in October, the cane matures rapidly, i. e., stores up sugar in 

 the stalk. With suitable cool weather, the cane may be in condition" 

 to commence grinding by the latter part of October. Farmers in the 

 sirup sections with but small crops to dispose of prefer to wait till 

 near the middle of November. In southern Florida, where winter 

 frosts are rare, they can afford to wait till December before com- 

 mencing to grind. The later in the fall or winter the cane is har- 

 vested, provided it is not damaged by frost, the bigger the yield of 

 cane and the higher the sugar content; therefore the better for the 

 manufacture of either sugar or simp. However, a slight degree of 

 immaturity is not so objectionable for sirup making as for sugar 

 manufacture. The immature cane, while containing less sucrose 

 (common sugar), contains more of the reducing sugars, which lessen 

 the tendency of sirup to granulate when boiled thick, a desirable 



property. It thus comes about that 

 the sugar-cane industry for sirup 

 making is carried to somewhat 

 higher latitudes, i. e., colder cli- 

 mates, than for sugar manufacture. 

 If, however, the cane is too im- 

 mature, the sirup can not be made 

 sufficiently clear and light colored 

 and. has an objectionably strong, 

 bitter flavor. 

 fig. ii.— a type of 2-horse disk cultivator The operation of harvesting (fig. 



used on large sugar-cane plantations. 12) consists of stripping the leaves 



off the stalk, topping the cane, cutting off at the bottom, drop- 

 ping it in bundles, loading, and hauling to the mill. The stripping, 

 topping, and cutting of the cane are usually accomplished by hand with 

 a cane knife. This implement has a small hook at the tip of the back 

 of the blade (fig. 13, b) that helps in raking or beating off the leaves 

 with the back of the knife. About two strokes down the sides of the 

 stalk will remove the leaves if the stalk stands straight. If it has 

 been lodged by a storm and has consequently grown crooked, as is 

 frequently the case with the old home varieties, it is more troublesome 

 to strip off the leaves. Thus in the stripping, and in the further 

 handling also, there is a decided advantage in growing varieties of 

 rigid, erect characteristics, such as the D 74, which do not readily 

 lodge. Some planters prefer to strip the cane a few weeks in advance 

 of the actual harvesting, thinking thereby to hasten maturity. This, 

 however, is of doubtful value except to get that much of the work 

 disposed of before the busy harvesting time comes. The practices 



