19 



not only been of little use to the growing crops, but in many cases 

 have doubtless done damage in the way already indicated. 



From the foregoing we see that: 



In order that the soil shall take up a large quantity of water, 

 preparation of soil must be deej) and thorough, and the trash plowed 

 into the soil, and to conserve moisture after it has been absorbed by 

 the soil frequent and shallow cultivation should be practiced. 



I venture to say that those in this community who have followed 

 these practices are suffering less from the present drouth than those 

 who have not practiced them. 



DISCUSSION 



It is to be regretted that no stenographic notes of the discussions 

 were ,made. The general opinion seemed to be that furrow planting 

 could be adopted in many parts of Fajardo and that this would simplify 

 irrigation should that be necessary. The water could thus be brought 

 to the cane along these furrows. However, in places where the soils 

 are very wet and heavy the present system of " banco " and " gran 

 banco" will have to be continued, owing to the heavy and continued 

 rainfall that may be expected at certain seasons of the year. Deep 

 plowing for the purpose of conserving moisture and subsoiling as an 

 aid to drainage were advocated, but it was maintained by some of those 

 present that owing to the difficulty of plowing the heavy lands of Fa- 

 jardo, thorough preparation could not be secured unless the acreage 

 was reduced; in other words that it was a question between extensive 

 and intensive planting. So long as large areas are planted to cane 

 neither thorough preparation of the soil nor adequate subsequent 

 cultivation could be secured, and it was a question if a reduction of 

 the planted area would be compensated for by the increased yield that 

 miffht be secured. The question therefore becomes an industrial as 

 well as an agricultural one. 



The subject of the cultivation of ratoons was considered of great 

 importance as bearing on possible drouths. Trash should be saved and 

 incorporated with the soil, and never burned, unless there were special 

 and urgent reasons for this course — should insects become very nu- 

 merous and work much damage to the cane it might be necessary to 

 burn the trash in order to check the insects, but it was agreed that in 

 most other cases "burning of the trash is a mistake. The ratoons should 

 be kept cultivated— this was considered essential to retain moisture, 

 and especially in those soils that tend to bake and crack on drying. 



