PREPARATION OP THE LANS TOR PLANTING. 



30 



increased to double their present amount, and, as a matter 

 of consequence, property would rise to its legitimate 

 value. It is not a plan which requires the investment of 

 capital, but is within the reach of every proprietor of West 

 India property; and were they to insist on their attorneys 

 not employing a single hoe in the preparation of the land, 

 but to plant the rows of canes at such a distance apart, as 

 to permit the free use of the horse-hoe or cultivator in 

 weeding the space between, their estates would rapidly 

 recover from the prostration and difficulties induced by 

 want of sufficient labour, and we would hear no more of 

 the necessity for immigration, unless for the necessities of 

 new settlements. 



It may be urged by some, that many estates are too 

 hilly to be benefited by this system, as the plough is not 

 adapted for their cultivation. This, undoubtedly, may be 

 the case in a few instances, but the objection, generally, is 

 incorrect, as very few hills on which canes are now cultivated 

 are so steep as not to admit of being tilled by the plough. 

 Here in Scotland, where I write, I see the steep hill-sides 

 ploughed with the greatest ease, and by using a plough 

 adapted for the purpose, of which I have myself proved the 

 efficacy, the difficulty of turning the furrow slices up hill 

 is avoided, as the plough, by a simple contrivance, reverses 

 its mould board at each turn, so as always to throw the 

 furrow slice downwards, and it is so light and easy of 

 draught, that a pair of horses work it with ease in any 

 kind of soil. 



