SUGAR-CANE. 



127 



wood is suffered to remain upon the land until 

 the leaves become dry ; then it is set on fire, 

 and these are destroyed with the brushwood 

 and the smaller branches of the trees. Heaps 

 are now made of the remaining timber, which 

 likewise burnt. This process is universally 



is 



practised in preparing land for the cultivation 

 of any plant. I have often heard the method 

 much censured as being injurious in the main 

 to the soil, though the crop immediately suc- 

 ceeding the operation may be rendered more 

 luxuriant by it. I have observed that the canes 

 which grew upon the spots where the heaps of 

 timber and large branches of trees have been 

 burnt, were of a darker and richer green than 



: an 

 tna 



those around them, and that they likewise over- 

 topped them. After the plant-canes or those 

 of the first year's growth are taken from the 

 lands, the field-trash, that is the dried leaves 

 and stems of the canes which remain upon the 

 ground, are set fire to, with the idea that the 

 ratoons, that is, the sprouts from the old roots 

 of the canes, spring forth with more luxuriance, 

 and attain a greater size by means of this prac- 

 tice.* The ratoons of the first year are called 



bois viols dont lessouchesponssentd.es rejettons ; now in Brazil, 

 almost all the trees that have been cut down put forth shoots. 

 * It has been discontinued of late years by some persons, 

 and I have heard it said, that the ratoon canes do not grow 

 so well ; but that the land requires to be laid dowg for a 

 much shorter period. 



