DeLand news. [volume] (DeLand, Volusia County, Fla.) 190?-1921, 1909-10-08
PREPARING FOR CANE GRINDING
(BY c, x. McQuARRIE.)

The proper preparation of the cane
crop for grinding cuts quite figure in
the net result Of the syrup-naking
Cane intended for syrup should be al
lowed to grow as late in the season as
possible. There is often rivalry among
farmers in certain communities as to
who shall have the first of the seasons
syrup on the market, and the crop is
often cut weeks ahead Of the time it
should be cut Syrup made from i'm
mature cane is Of an inferior quality in
every way. We have then poorer
quality in the first syrup on the market
than We get later on when the crop is
properly matured Throughout north
ern and western Florida. the middle of
November is early enough to cut the
crop. Should slight frost occur be-
fore that time it will not damage the
cane for syrup.making purposes,
Stripping
Stripping can be done any time after
the first of October, and any odd time
at the farmer command can be devoted
to the job. There are several good
tools for this purpose on the market, and
if the acreage is large it pays one to buy
these but for the ordinary cane patch
on most farms, piece of hoop iron will
be found to do good work. All dead
leaves should be completely removed
up to the first immature joint. and par
ticular care exercised that everything
in the shape Of trash be completely
cleared away from the roots, SO that the
stalks can be cut very close to the
ground; for the sweetest part Of the cane
is that next the ground.
Topping.
This operation has quite an import
ant bearing on both the quality and
quantity Of the syrup. If we cut close
to the mature joints and leave no green
joints for grinding. We are apt to be
troubled with sugaring Of the syrup
The green or immature joints contain
glucose which tends to prevent this
'ugaring. so one or two immature joints
should be left when topping. The num-
Der Of green joints left depends on the
ength of the canes. AS a general rule
o 60 by. one may leave a green joint
or every ten matured ones. on ordinary
lied canes
Cutting.
When we come to the cutting, We
want to use a sharp tool that will make
clean slanting cut Why slanting?
Because il otherwise the butt of the
talk will be more or less splintered, and
{ laid away for some time before grind
ng, that joint will have some sour sap in
t, which we do not want. The ordinary |
ane knife is not good tool for cutting
lown cane, in that it can not cut close
nough to the ground A light we'll
happened hoe will be found the best for
his purpose, and handled by man
sho knows how to use it, will do excel
emit work. There should be two hands
working together. one cutting down the
anes, and the other removing the cut
anes out Of the way. This saves time.
Windrowing.
What is meant by this expression is
he laying away Of the cut cane in rows
r. piles to wait until grinding time.
Quite number Of Our syrup-makers do
ot practice this-they grind as they
ut. But where large acreage is grown
t is impossible to get enough help to
eep the cutting and grinding going at
he same time so the crop has to be laid
way and covered up with leaves and
rash to keep out the cold. In laying
away. unless the crop is an extra
eavy one. piles containing about 600
anes each are recommended laid as
as possible. and we'll covered
D protect them from frost,
Grinding Immediately after cutting
not to be recommended, let the crop
e large or small. Syrup made from
ane laid away for a month or two is
aperior to that made from new-cut
ane. The sap seems to mature. and it