Apparatus for spreading harvested sugar cane pieces and for dry separating the extraneous matter from the cane, comprising means for spreading the cane to effect frictionally a slight dissociation of the extraneous matter from the cane; means for forming the cane into a falling curtain; means for providing a low-velocity air jet to intercept transversely the falling curtain of cane and separate therefrom a low-density fraction of extraneous matter (for example, leaves); means for subsequently providing a high-velocity air jet to intercept transversely the falling curtain of cane and separate therefrom a generally higher density fraction of extraneous matter (for example, tops); the final separation being enhanced by the provision of means for imparting a horizontal component of velocity to the cane before it is intercepted by the high-velocity air jet.
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