CULTIVATION OF THE SUGAR CANE. 



fully three feet long. They must have been much longer, 

 but the fine ends were broken off, by being roughly pulled 

 out of the ground. On mentioning the above circum- 

 stances to a friend of mine, he told me that, in confirma- 

 tion of the circumstances, on one occasion when travelling, 

 he passed a part of a steep bank that had lately fallen from 

 wet weather, and that he could distinctly trace the cane- 

 roots ten feet deep." * 



A further reason given in support of the cane-hole is, that 

 by its peculiar formation all the richest and most soluble 

 portions cf the manure are washed down to the centre close 

 to the plant. This is as absurd as either of the foregoing, 

 for as the extremities of the roots absorb the nutriment for 

 the plant by their spongioles, and as these roots extend 

 some distance from the plant itself, it is evident that the 

 result of this washing to the centre, is to take the choicest 

 portions of such Nutriment out of the reach of the roots. 

 It is like applying food, as you would a blister, to the pit 

 of the stomach, instead of placing it in such a condition 

 that it can be conveyed to the mouth. 



The only advantage I ever perceived the cane-hole to 

 possess was, that when the cultivation had been late, and 

 the land was to be planted immediately, a comparatively 

 light shower, from being drained toward the centre of the 

 hole, afforded sufficient moisture to put the plants in, and 

 ensure their springing ; and I have seen it adduced as an 



* No. 4 Essay, by W. F. Whitehouse, Esq., St. Mary's. 



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