, 1891-12-23

tuSS curing tntS season. In january, FeDru-
airy and March, we only make use Of the head
shoots, choosing them from the best canes, and
being careful to leave for each shoot four or
five joints previously deprived of their leaves,
and the heads having also been cut off at a
time when the eyes were not naturally swol-
len by the sap. During the dry season the
eyes should not be allowed to become too
large.
AT this time we plant a la pince, vertically.
taking care to press the soil round he plants
sufficiently close to intercept the action of the
air, the plants not being less than sixteen
inches long. If the ground has a clay subsoil:
as is the case with almost all the land in the
Grande Terre, planting can be carrie on DUR
ing the greatest drought, for the plants almost
always succeed. The lower part, which is in the
clay throws ont roots which cause the eyes to-
terminate and keep up a certain amouht of
vegetation up to the time of rain. Undoubtedly
however, if the drought lasted too long which
is rarely the case), the plants would finally
succumb. We have spok en- of paintings made.
as late as March. We have now no fear with
regard to these paintings, which arrive at ma
turity in a good and healthy condition.
The SECULAR use of instruments for breakinH
up the ground, the tree circulation of air per-.
mitted to the canes, the good manures sup
pAACN ot ~ AASh' CAAAOg UtO BOo NIOlIilN II IL
ways getting the plants (which are to be OBJ
tanned at this season in profusion and Of the
best type), to throw out shoots, are so many
guarantees for obtaining excellent results.
We have on many occasions obser we'd that the
canes of January, February and March were
the most healthy at the time of cutting, whilst
those planted III October, November and
Dec ember were considerably deficient in quan
tity because of the number that were spoilee
1t is to be feare ed that many of those sent I'd
the works are already diseased or beginning to
rot this is not perceived, because the outside
appears healthy.
In our opinion. the best manner of proceed
ing is to divide the paintings as follows AS
little as possibl lie in October, somewhat more
in November, and still more in December,
January and February, but little in March. We
have said that acareful choice of plants is an
essential condition for the Improvement Of the
species, but we might add that a careful and
intelligent cultivation contributes enormously
to this improvement, more especially the use
of good animal manure, and of artificial man.
ures of the best description. But amongst
the causes of the improvement which has TAX
en- place must be placed first Of all the employ.
ment of cultivators, which was introduced on 10
large scale five years ago by our elninent COM
patriot, Mr.. E. Souques, to- whom is owing
the great advance made, and the present pros
perity of Guadeloupe.
The paintings beingmade at a distarlce Of
about FIVE feet in every direction, these valu)
able implements keep the soil in constant
state of looseness, and hinder the weeds
from growing in the spaces. =
The cultivated lots must have drains about
every six or seven yards, especially OH. clay
soils, whore the liberation of the water can
not take place naturally in the subsoil.
Last year we made a trial of plvntings, in
rows, which gave verp good results. We shall
continue these this year in larger proportions.
The width of the burrows is about two yards;
the head-shoots and the cuttings are planted
at a distance of thrce-quarters Of ayard. The
Hates form quickly. One of the great advan-
tages of this mode of planting is that it allows
the canes to remain in better condition-Lo~-
isiGna Planter.