Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1855-07-26

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vantage over the other of ripening and
being fit for cutting in from ten to twelve
months from the time Of planting, which
is considerably less than the time required
by the West India, Bourbon or Java red
canes, so much esteemed in the east. II
not possessed of the great sacharine quail
ity of the Salangor, the tillor is neverthe-
less profitable cane, as the juice extract
ed from it, with moderate pressure OF the
cylinders, range from nine to eleven de-
grees, of Beaume's sacharometer, ON
good ground seldom falling below ten de-
grees, and it has the additional advantage
of making returns from five to seven
months less time than the other.
Now, it is to this variety of cane that
would beg leave to direct the attention OF
those interested in Introducing changes
which natural degeneration in most plants
render necessary from time to time, and
which experience teaches is as necessary
to the sugar-cane as to any other vegeta-
BILE production. Through our consular or
private agents at Sinapore or Penang, sup
plies might be obtained by transmitting
directions to have cuttings laid horizontal
ly on bed Of rich earth, deposited to a
considerable thickness in the bottom Of a
case of convenient size, for transporta-
ton. The case should be allowed to re-
main open for some days, in order to be
able to observe if the cuttings, which have
been slightly covered over with earth,
throw out shoots, and if ascertained to be
doing well, then an inch or two of addi-
|tional earth should be laid upon them,
and the glazed sides of the case should be
Theoretically sealed, to exclude the atmos-
phere. The case, so closed, may be con-
veyed in perfect safety on a secluded part
of the deck of merchant ship OF the
United States during the summer, care
being taken not to open the case or to
break the panes of glass, and thus admit
the saline air of the sea to them.
While onthis subject, allow me further
to bring to your notice.. the Chinese mode
of sugar-cane cultivation, which differs
from ours in placing horizontally the cut
tings in shallow drill, the cuttings hav-
ing been previously tied up in bundles,
and put away in shaded place at the
time of cutting down the field. The bun
dies are allowed to remain in this manner
until within about ten days of planting
time, when they are placed upright in
shallow pit. united, and fenced all around
the pit with rich earth, and slightly cover
ed over with cane leaves. Ii about one
week they throw out shoots from the sides,
which. when about an inch long, indicate
that they are ready for setting out in the
drills aforesaid. and are then slightly COW
cred with earth. .... .-.f
By this process month is gained over
the ordinary mode of sticking the cuttings
into the ground, which usually renders
about third or half Of it unproduct
on account of the pressure of the ground
upon that part Of it which is buried,
whereas, by the Chinese process every
eye is fully developed, and, as before said.
whole month is gained. boon of no
little importance in the limited seasons Of
our sugar-producing country. ......
have the honor to be, sir, your most
obedient servant.
aa.. rs J. BALlSTlER.