Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-08-11
C~ULTIvATION OF SUGAR.
CONCLUDED

IL W. ~ NONCLODED.'
The writer in the Daily Delta spon the cul.
ture of Indian corn, comments on the 5model
Of d~ressingthe ground, Gas he terms it, VII
different instruments of culture. Those hav,
each had their day, and have, from time tc
time, been altered or abandoned. "For why?'
Because no system can be adapted suitable te
every soil and climate. &
For the culture of the soil of Louisiana, af.
! ter the cane and corn are planted in properly
J prepared ground, little more is needed for the
cultivation or excavation by the spade or sho
veLof the soil. The use of them, as well a.
the form, must be adapted to the nature of the
ground worked, for the soil and circumstances
differ very materially upon the same plantation
1t may possibly appear to you somewhat
strange that Mr.. p, who bought my plantation
had not in part, at least, continued my cultiva'
ton. The reason, however, is obvious. Mr.
P. came there, welded to a new system oil
blowing the trash cane in the middle of the
cane rows, under the impression itwould keep
the ground 10 good condition. 1t might, when
rotted. (which would be very tardy, in the
meantime embarrassing the c~ulture), make the
land a little 1ghier, butt would not impart the
least nonrishtnent to the soil.
Sir Humphry Davy, one Of the most scienti.
fe agrieuitnfists and chemists Jig England, ass
aerts positively thai the soil receives no nour-
ilment from manure composed altogether OF
fibre. Now it is evident that the dried
cane tops are nothing else ~but1%woody fibre.
They produce no fermentation, therefore gen.
crate no amonia. ~.
BY P.'s having his trash plowed inthe. rows.
his plowmen were ofcourse compelied<dplow
upon each side Of the trash, to cover it id The
soil, thereby cu51 6g into4he roots Of the stub
bic, destroying in one season what | had labor-
ed to effect in eight or nine. Some two or three
years after I4had sold to Mr.. n, ] walked
through hs can4Xeld. | at once saw that my
ssysteniSof blowing had been abandoned. In
passing along the field, | met the head plow-
man. ] observed to him. II see from the il
regularity in tha5Nze Of yonr ratoons in the
rows, thA your master has not adopted my ays.
tenn 9 u 1ot cutting t~heAroots." He replied,
AMasY I@illhave the trash plowed in between
the rows; we have not room to worksthS Gang
without cutting jpto the stubie." 1.-THE roots
of the stubbis not cuf, the ratoons wiliabe
as regular in ske and height as plant cane.
This was noticed BY kome of my neighbour
remarking 'they. could not tell the sdfiffssence!s
Icould add many other COZ 6fraatcfy fsetesto
sustain the correetpess Of my position but /
should suppose that single one, ought toscons
vince the most "skepticai." l shaR now q1nf
clude by stating to you the system which, Frey
commend to Won as. . trial upon your planta
ton. You spoke Of making a trial of20 acres.
! am not visionary in the the least,bl can
can6deptleess yopetllat you may safely
extaBdie a,pr 100, or your whole seasons.
plaAting.I IN system ] recommend is, TO pre-
paeyouA 9Souad wei beforelpianting. The
81 dressingss furrow /6ur GROUND wit5Ra graz
dual rise of 4tos44 Set from rise to rae; upon
each rise, open your fqy.ow for the care.
uMy Practice for thess last few yeaS, from
Asing the goo} effect}in planting onlyahe cut
pakq e, determined mesnever again ID
plan any Saastexcept only such as had sound
Apd well devseop eyes upon them--cutiing
erd throwing the Entire tops into the cattle
pms. This practice l found of the greatest
importance to secure a good stand OF cane. l.
l never double my cane in the rows. | have
been in the habit of planting two rows in a