SOIL FAVOURABLE FOR THE CULTURE OF THE SUGAR CANE, 633 
the juice, Sfc. Sfc. By W. Fitzmau- 
RICE, inany years a planter in the island 
of Jamaica, pp. 69, 1830. 
The nature and properties of the Sugar- 
cane, with practical directions for the 
improvement of its culture and the ma- 
nufacture of its products. By George 
Richardson Porter, Philadelphia, 
pp. 354, 1831. 
J Dictionary, Practical, Theoretical, and 
Historical, of Commerce and Comm.er- 
cial Navigation : illastrated with Maps 
and Plans. By J. R. McCulloch, 
Esa. Second Edition, Corrected 
throughout, and greatly enlarged 
with a Supplement, supplying the 
deficiencies and bringing down the in- 
formation contained in the work to 
October, 1S35. 8vo. pp. 13^7- Long- 
man,Rees,Orme, Brown, Greene, 
AND Longman, London, 1835. 
('Continued from page 558.J 
The soil most favorable for the production 
■of sugar-cane, is a mixture of clay and sand, 
or what is called brick-mould. 
“ Although the effects of rain on this 
soil are apparently soon over, its surface 
quickly drying, the inner portion retains a 
considerable degree of moisture even in the 
driest weather, and it has the advantage of 
seldom requiring trenches to be made even 
in the wettest season. 
This soil very much predominates in St. 
Domingo; in Jamaica it is confined to par- 
ticular districts, and even in those districts 
to particular spots.* * * * § 
Next to this, black mould of several varie- 
ties is favourable for the production of the 
cane. There is a species of this mould in 
Jamaica, which abounds with limestone and 
flint on a substratum of soapy marie. Black 
mould on clay is more common, but it is gene- 
rally only in a very thin stratum, and the 
clay is tenacious and retentive of water : this 
last sort of land, therefore, requires great 
labour, both in ploughing and trenching, to 
render it profitable ; but, properly pulverized 
and manured, it becomes extremely pro- 
ductive. 
The best black mould is found in Barbadoes . 
Antigua, and some other of the Windw'ard 
• Plant-canes in this soil have been known 
in very fine seasons to yield two tons and a 
half of sugar per acre. — JSdit’flrdff’s H'est Iiicies. 
Islands. But the very best soil for the pro- 
duction of sugar of the finest quality, and in 
the largest proportion, is the ashy loam 
of St. Christopher’s. The alluvial soil of 
Guiana is most favourable to the vegetation 
of the cane, but not to the elaboration of its 
saccharine juice, except in old settled planta- 
tions having the benefit of the sea- breeze 
without receiving its spray. 
Canes will not flourish on a merely sandy 
soil : to make them grow there, requires a 
great expense for manure, as well as frequent 
rains, or the command of water for irriga- 
tion.*” 
“When land is unproductive, w'^e should 
inquire into the cause of its sterility, w^hich 
must necessarily result from some defect in 
the constitution of the soil.” 
“in such cases, the cause can only be as- 
certained by chemical analysis ; then the 
noxious principle which exists will be easily 
discovered, and most probably easily de- 
stroyed. If any of the salts of iron be found 
present, they may be decomposed by lime. 
If any inert vegetable matter be indicated, 
this can be removed by lime, paring, and 
burning. If there be a deficiency of vege- 
table matter, it may be supplied by manure. 
If there be an excess of silicious sand, a 
mixture of marie will eminently correct it. 
In stilf, heavy soils, chalk and sea-shells 
are used with great advantage. Low, swampy 
grounds, besides the assistance of lime, 
chalk, or sand, according to the nature of the 
soil, should be well drained, and every facility 
given for the escape of the stagnant waters, 
and the overplus of those which collect after 
storms.” 
“ Lime is beneficial to almost any soil, 
particularly new and especially w'herethe salts 
of iron are found.-h 
Where carbonate of lime already exists in 
the soil, lime and chalk are useless, inasmuch 
as there is little or no undissolved vegetable 
matter. J 
Marle§ mixed with sandy clay materially 
improves the soil, it is understood that the 
* There is, however, a peculiar sort of laud 
on the north side of Jamaica, chiefly iu the 
parish of Trelawney, that cannot be passed 
over unnoticed, not only on account of its 
scarcity, but its value; few soils producing 
finer sugar. The land alluded to, is generally 
of a red colour; the shades of which, however, 
vary considerably, from a deep chocolate to a 
rich scarlet ; iu some places it approaches to a 
bright yellow, but it is every where remark- 
able, when first turned up, for a glossy or 
shining surface, and if wetted stains the fin- 
gers like paint. Ibid. 
+ Wood sorrel, coarse tufts of grass, and 
various sour herbage, indicate the presence 
of oxide of iron, in Europe. 
i Lime should never he applied with animal 
manures, unless they are too rich, or for the 
purpose of preventing noxious effluvia. It is 
injurious when mixed with any common dung, 
and tends to render the extractive matter 
insoluble. — Ure'’s Dictionary of Chemistry. 
§ Marie, a mixture of clay and carbonate of 
lime. 
