Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1942-02-12
Page 5ev~S

quite intricate, that people in gen.
eral have not understood very we'll.
From Mr.. Landry | gained some adj
dltion to my meager knowledge,
crediting him with this article.
| The great enemy of the sugar
cane is the Mosaic Disease, so call
ed because of the mosaic pattern
left on the leaves. This plague
came, in all its intensity, about
1926. The crop fell from 100000
tons to $4,000 tons. Ruin stared
| planters in the face. Plantations
were deserted, sugar factories clos
| ed
Science came to the rescue. The
new kind of cane needed was pro-
duced For ages sugar cane had
been planted, by taking the joints
| and planting them, two in a place.
as we would plant potatoes, but not
| planting seed. However, expert
menters had been raising cane from
! the seed, successfully cross-breed-
| ing it, and producing almost end
less varieties, some suited to one
locality, some adapted to others.
East Java furnished the needed
brands for mosaic infested lands,
P. O. J. 200 and P. o. J. 281. This
formula is interpreted Proofstation
COST Java. Washington, D. c., CO.
operated with the planters, and
soon 100000 acres were planted
with the new varieties. Prosperity
came Immediately in the wake OF
the new endeavor.
Since that time, 1926, each year
has seen the introduction of new
kinds of cane, each one produced
scientifically, and having it's own
scientific formula. Canal Point,
Florida, Experiment Station now
furnishes the best types for the
southland, and released in 1941,
C. P. 33, and c. P. 243 (C.P. mean-
ing Crown Point. Time will be
required to make sure that adapta-
bility of these new varieties, which
resist disease and frost, have more
sugar content, and spring up them
selves for two or three years, max
ing much replanting unnecessary.
hoolilC lhouSi II PiSthto SoA5S AAooS
down to IA degrees above zero.
Stalks reach six feet. and still
above that is the bloom, pollen and
seed Seed when planted will pro-
drce red brown, black, green,
white and yellow stalks. The red
and white seem to be best. The
bloom comes about once in 20
years depending on the season and
the weather. Mosaic disease is now
under control.
In the factories are made syrup
and mol2sses Black Strap is pro-
duced for cattle. 1t is often con-
verted to alcohol and smokeless
powder. In Cuba, one-third of the
3,6OO,00O tons of sugar is made in
to molasses and then into the
smokeless powder About two-thirds
of the Cuban crop is imported by
the United States, and is controlled
by Wall Street.
Cane is planted about September
80, cultivated the first Of March,
and harvested the middle of Novem-
Der. In plowing, the plow must
follow the level, as one may wit
ness, as he passes along. Great
ridges are thrown up at proper in
tervals to control rain, irrigation
and draining. The draining also al
ways follows, along the level The
water is drained to laterals, and
finally to canals.
The mule is necessary concoml-
tant to the industry as is also the
negro Standard cane mules must
be heavy, at least IA hands high,
and cost when purchased $3.50
pair. The negro and the mule seem
to be adjusted to each other. The
mule is so we'll trained, that the
line for driving may be dispensed
with, the driving being done verb
ally. Most mules seem harmless as
sheep He is often a very treacher-
Gus animal, better not trusted too
far or too often.
In December one observes that
all the cane is harvested. The cane
for next year is seen in various
stages of growth Sometimes it is
under windrows of flags, to protect
the tender growth, sometimes 1t IS
seen a foot or two above ground.
Mature, it yields 80 tons to the
acre. the greatest toll taken by any
crop from the soil. Immense mo-
tor trucks, instead of wagons, now
it. Toists are seen in ev-
cry field to lift it, and scales TO
weigh it, as it goes to the trucks.
Following an old custom, the
negroes are taken to and from the
field. 1t is great to see them trim
ming the stalks, and later cutting
the stalk with the big knives. They
accompany toll with the rhythm of
song.
One of them being incensed at
the other said Niger in about
half a minute / am going to climb
on your back" The other calmly
replied "Nigger, you better turn
your watch back. Howard Il.
Scott, New Iberia, La, December
27. 1941.