The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-09-20

ton given TO rattoous ought to be considered in the
same light as the transplanting of other plants, in
which the lateral roots are cut, the tap root only be-
ing left uniujurel. | am confirmed IN thus opinion
by observing the growth Of ratt0On canes where the
trash has been turned into the soil, and the roots cut
bv the plough, the ~rattOJHS are far ahead Of the plant
canes Of the same age. | believe, and that belief |
hone to see reduced to certainty by experiments now
in progress, that cane does not impoverish the soil at
all if the trash left en- the field Is allowed to rot in the
soil after the cutting of the canes.
To confirm this opinion, | quote from Mr. Benjamin,
~. Patent Office Reports, 1913, page 2SS,) him
self a partner in, to my own knowledge. one of the
most scientifically conducted and successful planta-
tons in Louisiana - 1t is difficult for Il person who
has not witnessed the results to form an adequate idea
of The improvement to a soil, that is at all stiff or
clavey, from the mere mechanical subdivision of its
particles attendant on the decay of the large quantity
of this trash left annually on the fields. This system
was first put into operation last year on the planta-
ton Of which | am part owner. The trash on the first
plourhing of the rlttoons was covered with the earth
turned over from the furrow, which is run alongside
of the stubble. At the second ploughing, when it be-
came necessary TO turn up the entire space between
the rows, the difference in the soil was so perceptible
as to create strife amongst the negroes for the prefer
eucc of plOughing those rows, the subdivision OF the
soil caused by the decay of the trash, rendering the
work much lighter and easier than in others, where,
from causes not worth detailing, we had been conf
PEELED TO burn this trash. The GdUantGgeS Of this
system are such, that IN lands which hare been thus
treated for Il term Of gears rittout repOSe, 1 hare
been assured huf the soil, far from deteriOrdtiRg, is
percepti5ly Improved in each successive year.. The
space between the rows not only reposes for three
years, but is enriched by an annual increment of the
best manure, and when it becomes necessary TO re-
plant, the cane is planted IN the spaces thus tertii=ed,
and the former rows then become intervening spaces
to receive in their turn this rich nutriment to the
soil" Mir. BEN lmin's subsequent remarks will am
ply repay perusal.
Another very fruitful source of failure is the poor
quality Of cane generally selected for planting. |
cannot better express my views on this subject than
by again quoting from the Patent Office Reports,
page 2S5 " 1t is with cane rs with all other plants,
imperfect seed produces "A poor plant and bad fruit.
The planter cannot expect that seed cane, with deli
cate imperfect eyes, short thin joints, will produce a
cane like one of vigorous growth, with perfectly well
developed eyes and a great deal Of juice which sup
ports the young shoot until its roots are strong
enough to obtain nourishment from the soil. The
young sprout is less able to support the inclemency
of the climate, and is more liable TO disease"
quote the latter clause as | consider that 1t applies 10
cases of drought in rs great n degree as to the incle-
mency OF the climate of Louisiana.
10 be contiuued)
am, yours respectfully,
ALEX. E.. McGREGoR.