Propagation.— Sugarcane is a perennial plant and can be propagated by layers or cut tings, or seed, the former being generally prac tised, the latter to cross-fertilize and produce new varieties. The entire cane may be planted, but the upper portion is thought best for seed. In many countries this portion is used for seed, but in Louisiana and adjacent States the tops are thrown away except a small portion fed to stock during harvesting. The Louisiana planter claims that labor is too scarce at harvest time to take care of this part of the crop, which would, by taking off the partially-matured joints, be ample for seed. The cane is cut near the surface of the ground, leaving a stubble or c(ratoon° which sprouts in the spring and is capable of producing a second and even a third crop in Louisiana, and in tropical countries 5 to 10 crops can be grown with but one planting, though the general practice, where cane and labor are abundant, is to plant annually or bi ennially. The tendency of the young canes is to sucker and a large portion of the crop may come from suckering, especially if the stand is poor. The crop from the plant cane is larger than that from stubble in Louisiana, but the re verse is true for two or three years in the tropics and each successive stubble crop is less than the preceding. The stubble cane is richer in sugar and has more fibre than plant cane and is not considered as good for seed as the latter.
Soil, Its Preparation; Cultivation.—Sugar cane is grown more or less in all tropical and semi-tropical climates and the soil in which it can be grown may be of very varying char acter. A suitable soil should be very fertile, capable of retaining a large amount of moisture and with enough clay in the sub-soil to prevent leaching of the soluble constituents, at the same time it should be well drained. Cane grows well in the Southern States (Georgia, Florida, Ala bama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas) in both sandy loam and clay loam soil, but the alluvial soils of the valley lands are best adapted for growing cane. The preparation of the soil is a very important feature of cane culture. If the land should be at all stiff or very clayey, preparation should take place or begin in the fall. The lighter soils' of a porous or loose character may be prepared just before planting. It is customary in this country in preparing the soil to throw it up in ridges, five to seven feet apart, and when this is done in late sum mer or in the fall with a large quantity of vegetable matter, whether of grasses or pea vines, the soil is in fine condition for planting in early spring. In rotation of crops corn and peas usually follow cane.
Planting.— The planting of the cane con sists in opening the ridges and putting the cane into a deep furrow and then covering with a plow, sometimes rolling after covering. One,
two or three canes may be planted along side by side in •Louisiana or other Southern States growing cane, but in the tropics short pieces may be planted. It is the custom of some to cut the cane in lengths of 18 to 24 inches be fore planting, while others cut it only where it is crooked, the object being to make it lie well in the furrow. Recent experiments in Hawaii have shown cutting to be of great value in securing a good stand. In some countries only the upper portion of the cane is planted, for reasons already given. The quantity required per acre varies from four to six tons, thus requiring a large investment in seed cane on a large plantation.
Preserving Seed.— The seed-cane is pre served through winter by windrowing or mat ting, the former being more generally prac tised. Windrowing consists in cutting and pil ing the cane in a continuous row between the ridges in such a manner that the tops and leaves cover up the butts of the cane, after which dirt is thrown over, sufficient to cover the cane or partially cover it. Matting differs from windrowing chiefly in having trash or grass thrown over the cane before it is covered. Cane thus preserved is not altogether protected from hard freezes nor from <(dry-roe in case of very dry weather.
rertiliZatici.-- The fertilization of the cane is very important, as one fertilizer may tend to grow a heavy tonnage with small sac charine content, while another may grow less tonnage but proportionately more sugar. The fertility of the soil is maintained by the addi tion of commercial fertilizers, distributed either in drill or broadcast, by rotation of crops and by growing heavy crops of pea vines.
Cultivation.— The cultiva,tion should be gin as soon as the cane is well up and has for its object the destruction of weeds and grass and maintenance of good tilth. Frequent mov ing of the soil to a very shallow depth is ad vantageous, while deep plowing is very in jurious. It is necessary to hoe the cane from one to three times. The cane is usually laid by in this country in the latter part of June or the first of July and the implement used for this final work is the disc plow which throws the soil well up around the roots of the cane, leaving it on a high ridge, the chief purpose of which is to aid in drainage.
Drainage.— The drainage of the valley lands in Louisiana is very important and ex pensive. The land is cut into small pieces vary ing from two to five acres, with a system of mains and laterals to take off the excess of water.
Irrigation.— Irrigation should be practised. if possible. This is essential in some of the islands of Hawaii. The water is applied by allowing it to run in the furrows. Irrigation is practised very little in Louisiana.