610 SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



contained in the upper joints is not harmful in sirup, but unde- 

 sirable in the manufacture of sugar. After being stripped and 

 topped, the canes are cut near the ground with cane knives or 

 sharp hoes, and piled at convenient intervals, ready to be hauled 

 to the mUl. 



In a single test (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Chem., Bui. 75, p. 29), 

 it was found by chemical analysis that stripping ten days before 

 topping and harvesting had the effect of reducing the percentage 

 of total sugar. It probably also decreased the weight of cane. 



By the use of ropes or hay slings laid in the wagon before 

 loading the cane, unloading can be hastened, the large bundles 

 being removed from the wagons by cranes. 



In the pine-belt, stalks intended for planting are dug 

 rather than cut. This is in order to save the eyes at the 

 base of the stalk and to decrease the danger of decay of 

 the cut cane. Experiments are needed to determine 

 whether the extra labor of digging is justifiable and whether 

 the cut cane would keep as well as dug cane if the ends were 

 dipped in tar or in some disinfectant. 



493. Bedding the cane. — In the pine-belt, before the 

 occurrence of the first killing frost in the fall, that part 

 of the crop intended for seed cane is dug, with its adhering 

 leaves and tops, and piled in beds as follows : — 



A layer of cane is placed on the ground, and over this is placed 

 another layer, its roots also resting on the ground, the leaves and 

 tops of this second layer covering most of the first layer. In 

 this way the bed is formed, each layer projecting the lower part 

 of its stalks about 10 inches beyond the layer beneath, the tops 

 and leaves of each layer covering the canes below after the manner 

 of shingles. The width of the bed is usually 6 to 10 feet, and the 

 length varies with the amount of seed cane to be kept. 



When aU the cane has been put in, it is covered with cane 

 leaves, and over all is thrown a layer of earth, completely cover- 



