Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-08-04
THE CULTIVATION OF SUGAR.

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the cultivation Of Sugar and Corn which will
not prove embarrassing to our agricultural
friends, but on account Of its great length we
can only lay before our readers this week that
portion of it which relates to the cultivation
of Sugar. The article was written by an old
planter, and is addressed to one Of our oldest
and most respectable citizens. -DeAa.
New ORLEANS, June 25, 1855.
w. w. NJ, Esq.-Dear Sir: | have. frequent.
" been solicited to publish the system adopted
by me in planting and cultivating sugar cane,
prior to the disposal Of my estate, which was
in the fall of 1S47.
My system has been so very opposite to the
general mode of culture in Louisiana for many
Years past, that | have felt a delicacy in offer
ing an opinion, much less in recommending a
system go totally at variance with the one so
universally pursued; nor should | now have
been induced to do so, had | not read an arti-
Gle in the Sunday Daily Della of 18th instant,
headed 1.-THE Cultivation of Corn" in which
the principle commended for, as well as practiced
by me, is laid down by that writer in the cul-
~tivation of Indian corn, and which | have prov.
ed after nine years experiment to be equally
applicable to the culture of sugar-cane in Lou
isiana. The desideratum is to cultivate both
without disturbing the roots. in cane this pre-
caution is more than doubly necessary, the corn
being an annual plant, whilst cane, if planted
in proper soil, is by nature intended to last for
years without the necessity of replanting; but
to perpetuate it for years the cultivation must
be effected without disturbing or even shaking
the ground into which the smallest tibres may
have penetrated.
In new and very rich soil, the disturbance of
the minute fbres may not prove Obstructive
the strength and moisture may sustain the cane,
but in old and dry soil the effect would not on.
ly be ruinous but entirely irretrievabIe for a
lasting stubble.
The plan is used in Cuba, and I believe in
other sugar islands, alone in breaking up the
ground for planting. Dupont, on Sugar Cane,
states shat the soil in Cuba for replanting is
carefully prepared before the cane is put into
the ground, that it receives from five to seven
plowings, besides narrowing, which | suppose
is intended to destroy the old roots. The
ground also in Louisiana ought to be well pre-
pared before planting.
Some years since, when | was commencing
the system which ultimately adopted, a Mr..
Wood, an extensive sugar planter in Cuba, was
brought to my plantation by a friend and neigh
Dor of mine. | showed Mr.. Wood some fifth
year ~ratoon, raised in my garden as an experts
ment. 1t had not been cultivated with plow,
hoe, or other instrument from the time it was
planted. 1t was the produce of part only Of
three large Oteheite canes, planted in a single
row; the stubble had increased yearly, and was
at that time within a few inches of three feet
wide. | cut from the fifth years stubble two
hundred and seventy-eight large canes, for !
planting in my fed. ] showed this cane to Mr..
Wood, aud he observed that he had not seen
finer cane in Caba. Ibid not count the num-
Der Of joints in the three parts Of cane planted,
but they could not have been less than twenty,
for ! only planted the butts Of the three stalks;
about this time the guano was introduced into
Louisiana; same was sent to me by Mr.. Dixon.
/ made a trial of il on this stubble, but on too
much and burned up the roots, which Il much
regretted. then planted in my garden several
stalks ofblue ribbon cane, putting a very small
quantity of gnano in the furrow; it grew un.
commonly large. and many Of the main stalks
shot out branches some three to four feet from
the root; upon one branchI counted seven well
formed joints. The juice of this cane l do
not think would have made sugar. asked
Mr.. Wood how often the cane was replanted in
Cuba. He replied that he had owned and
worked his plantation for seventeen years; that
neither pillow nor hoe had been used in bis crop
since he bought the place. He could not say
how long the stubble lasted'in Cuba; he had
understood upon some grounds fifty odd years.
l asked him If he burned off his trash cane; he
replied "no'-that it was suffered to remain
upon the ground. | can very clearly perceive
why--to prevent the grass and minor weeds
from growing, but more particularly to keep
the surface of the ground moist in that dry
and hot climate, where there are droughts
sometimes of seven to eight months in success
sion.
To prevent the stronger weeds from grow
ing, which force their way through the trash,
IN instrument is used, resembling that of a
bill hook" Not only the climate, but the So.
gar lands of Louisiana, are very different in
and quality from those 0 fCuba. Our
'ane lands are generally Of rich bottom, and
llluvial, terminating in swamp, and Astounding
a moisture, and an endless variety of weeds; !
'ome Of them very formidable. such as the wild [
INLET, s"indigo," "fax weed" "cuckIe burr"
&C., &c, which must be kept out of the cane,
y the pillow and hoe; but they must be used
Q as not to cut, or even disturb the roots :of 9
be cane, or the earth into which the small I
lbres have entered. If this is strictly attended
o. there is no reason why the stubble should 9
I0t last as long in Louisiana 40 in Cuba-I :
1ean in dry, well drained land. In low damp :
the root may occasionally be subjected q
0 decay, in long wet spells, and the roots Of g
he cane may possibly be injured BY hard and d
ontinued ffosts, but such an event AZ the lat. i
or, is very rare. ] have been in Louisiana ff- n
lone years, and forty years directly or indirec- +
y engaged in planting. In that time, l know Il
I but one instance ofsany serious injury to J.
ne roots of cane, in well-drained ground. A e
ompetent cultivator will soon find out the best -
'ethod Of clearing the ground Of injurious 4
'eeds, without disturbing the roots ofthe cane. 4,
he method should be adapted to the soil. h.
'aracter of the weeds, &c. In dry weather. K
'e minor weeds will not grow. as vigorously 81
the cane, provided the cane is up well; there. -
re they are little to be minded, particularly y
IL winter weeds anch.aa fho aaL;.L