1.   Sunny skies last summer helped nurture young cane stalks, which produce natural sugar juice through photosynthesis.

2.   The cold also froze the tops of mature cane stalks, which could reduce sugar content and yields.

3.   Cane stalks were cut and loaded into horse-drawn wagons and carted to the mill.

4.   Even worse damage could be caused to crops if cane stalks were submerged for lengthy periods, he said.