, 1888-10-20
A LOUISIANA CUSTOM.
CELEBRATING THE CUTTING OF
THE LAST STALK OF CANE.

Vigorous Work at the Last Acre-An
Envied Man-Banners of All sorts-A
Long Procession of Happy Darkeys.
Negro oratory-supper.
A time honored custom among the hands
on a sugar plantation is the celebration of
the day When the last load of cane is
hauled from the fields to the sugar house.
There are few planters who object to this
festival, and there are not many who
assist personally in its observance. An
account of one of these celebrations will
be an almost faithful picture of all, for
there is little variety about them.
1t is a clear, sunny, winter day, IND
the hands work vigorously at the last acre
of cane. Cane knives glitter in and out
of the rustling green tops, there is a swift
CLEAN Of bright steel along the stalks, a
quick stroke near the ground and the
pliers lift the clean stalks in piles ready
for the leaders to toss in great armfuls to
the men waiting in the carts. Cane is
heavy, and it requires a marvellous sleight
of hand and some muscular power to send
a bundle of cane flying into the grasp Of
another person. Mingled with cracking
of stalks and the rushing sound of falling
cane tops, comes the even melody of the
negroes as they chant jubilee songs.
There is only a little cane left. The men
hold back, making a desperate appearance
of haste; but not cutting more han they
can help. Each man tries to deceive his
neighbor, but the overseer is looking on
and the cane must be cut. Swish, crack
the last stalk is almost reached, and
who will have the glory of cutting it?
The men are eager and excited; the over
seer hurries them up; one after another
the stalks fall-and, hurrah! the envied
man cuts the last, and waves it triumph
antly above his head. AS the last load is
piled on a cart, cheers loud and long an
nounce the beginning of the celebration.
BANNERS OF ALL SORTS.
The planter has supplied the negroes
with banners of all sizes. The cane carts
are decorated with these, and the three or
four mules i'll every cart nave a bright
%rosette, surmounted by a small United
States flag, placed above each long ear.
Besides these there are from one to
three great flags supported in every wagon
by a proud darkey, Malay or white man,
as the case may be. When the line Is
formed it has a very imposing look. First
comes the leader. cart, in which stands
the man with the / stalk held upright,
and one or two l. t.ags which the ladies
of the planters household are solicited
each year to manufacture; and much
envied is the man to whom they are pre-
sented, for they are as attractive as yards
OF trl-cOlOred flannel, ribbons and gilt de-
vices can make them. There are also BAN
ners made by the colored women-mar-
wells in the way of streamers and CANDY
patchwork.
The long procession forms behind the
last load of cane, surmounted by it's gay
decorations, n moves toward the sugar
mill mid loud songs and deafening cheers
for the planter, manager and overseer.
All the mill whistles are blowing, and the
much respected plantation bells are left in
the power of the people, to be rung until
the arms of the ringers are worn out. The
procession is greeted at the sugar house
with great rejoicing, speeches are INDUCED
in, and the women and children stream
from the quarters and Chamber into the
carts.
There is a great shrieking of whistles,
roaring of machinery, crashing of cane
mingled with the sounds of sons and
cheering, while toasts are drunk in every
variety of WHISKY but the best. Amid all
this din minor noises are unheard. After
leaving the sugar house the troop of
darkeys files around the mansion of the
planter, cheering the family, who are ex-
pected to make their appearance and be
looked at. Addresses are made to the
planter, who, of course, has to return
thanks; for if there is anything dear to the
soul of the darkeyi it is speechmaking, and
the father and brothers of the planter, If
he has any, come in for their full share of
negro oratory.