THE SUGAR-CANE. 
115 
7. When the canes are cut, the part left in the 
ground is called the stool From it fresh canes 
will grow, which will be known as ratoons; those 
of the previous year being called plant-canes, 
8. Every year the planter has to take great 
care of his crop. He must keep the ground loose, 
and free from weeds; and must look after insects. 
There is a caterpillar which is fond of boring 
through the stem, to feed on the sweet pith; and 
ants will make their nests near the stools, and 
disturb the plant. These pests the planter must 
get rid of, or his canes will not thrive. 
9. You may tell by the stems whether the canes 
are ripe and fit to be cut. At first the inside of 
the stem is very soft and moist, with the sap. 
But when the cane becomes quite ripe it is heavy, 
its skin is dry and smooth, and the juice is sweet 
and sticky. The dead leaves are sometimes 
stripped off, that the air may blow well amongst 
the canes, and thus help them to ripen. 
10. There is a busy scene when the canes are 
gathered in. As the lower end is very rich in 
sugar, the men cut them close to the ground. 
Then the leaves and tops are chopped off, and 
the canes are cut up into pieces short enough to 
be tied into bundles and carried to the mill. 
