THE PLANTING OF CANES- 



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and the healthier the first shoots, the more rapidly and 

 perfectly will the succeeding shoots be developed from 

 them. 



Canes are planted in a variety of ways. Originally the 

 hoe was the only implement used for that purpose. A 

 chop was made in the bottom of the cane-hole, and the 

 plant being placed in it horizontally, was covered lightly 

 with mould from the sides of the bank, and trodden upon, 

 to prevent the too rapid evaporation of the moisture. It 

 was afterwards deemed expedient by some to use an iron 

 crowbar or drill, which was plunged vertically into the 

 earth, and on withdrawing it, the plant was inserted in the 

 hole thus formed. Others used light pickaxes, by which a 

 hole was made, into which the plant was forced, lying, 

 when planted, at an angle of about 45 above the horizon. 

 All these methods, when carefully performed, answered the 

 purpose. But in land which is well pulverised by deep 

 ploughing and subsoil ploughing, the plant can be pushed 

 in simply with the hand, without any implement being 

 necessary, or, at all events, a small dibble, carried in the 

 basket with the plants, would suffice to remove any trifling 

 obstruction which might exist. 



The distance at which the plants should be set apart from 

 each other, has been a subject upon which much difference 

 of opinion has existed. It is not long ago since it was con- 

 sidered necessary to put not less than two plants into the 

 cane-hole, and as many as four and five have been wasted 

 for that purpose. One gentleman, who was eminent as a 



