ADVANTAGES OF WIDE PLANTING. 



48 



of the superiority of wide planting. The space between 

 the rows must always in some degree, be in proportion to 

 the fertility of the soil. In poor soils it may be limited 

 to six feet, and in fertile soils to eight feet. There are 

 instances of persons increasing the distance to ten feet, 

 and in some instances to eight feet square, but these cases 

 are rare. 



To those who cannot comprehend how canes can thrive so 

 far apart, it is only necessary that they should witness the 

 bulk and dense appearance of ripe canes, which have been 

 planted in this manner, and their peculiar adaptation for 

 resisting the blighting effects of the frequent droughts, 

 from the length and strength of their roots, for long 

 before they have reached maturity, their roots have pene- 

 trated and occupied every portion of the space between the 

 rows, and if the subsoil is naturally good, or made so by 

 draining and subsoil ploughing, they will descend to an 

 astonishing depth in search of moisture and nutriment. 

 This is abundantly evidenced by the success which has 

 followed the experiments of those who have advocated and 

 adopted this method of planting. Yet so powerful is the 

 prejudice in favour of established habits and usages, that 

 numbers of Planters, and I particularly instance Antigua, 

 as being the island with which I have been latterly best 

 acquainted, cannot be brought to see the necessity 

 existing for it, or allow the possibility of its general success, 

 making the most absurd assertions of peculiarity of soil, 

 &c, which they say will not admit of its being successful, 



