211 



From one-twenty -fifth of an acre, 1,259 His. gross weight of yams 

 was raised (crop of 1896). 



Deducting 25 per cent, for tops and waste we have a realized 

 yield at the rate of 23,600 K»s. of marketable yam per acre, which at 

 3 cents or 1^ per K). gives a gross return of £147 10 per acre. 



The system of cultiire followed is to open trenches two feet wide, 

 and from fifteen to eighteen inches deep, with intervals of five feet. 

 These trenches are filled Avith a mixture of vegetable refuse, leaves, 

 stable manure, and litter. Upon this is turned the previously 

 excavated soil, which is rounded up into ridges twelve or fifteen 

 inches high, which operation performed leaves a trench between the 

 ridges. On this the yams are planted, and as soon as growth has 

 commenced, bamboo poles are placed for the vine to climb vipon ; one 

 row of uprights to every third row, and the poles from the rows on 

 either side resting on the ridge pole of the centre row. The growth 

 tlnis forming a pyramid over each three rows. 



The bottoms of the trenches are then forked roughly and supplied 

 with manure, vegetable refuse, or garden sweepings of any kind, and 

 from time to time as opportunity offers until they are full. This 

 affords nutriment to the growing plants, and the roots are kept cool 

 and moist. Nothing more is done except to give an occasional weed- 

 ing to the plots during the first stages of growth. 



The vines quickly cover the groiind with a dense shade under 

 which no weeds Avill grow, and nothing further is required but to see 

 that the vines are properly supported so that air can circulate through 

 and under them, to allow the crop to ripen in due course. Our crop 

 is always harvested diiring the dry season, and the tubers are dug and 

 stored in a dry dark room. For planting, the upper parts of the 

 yams are used, but when yams are well ripened, the tuber can be cut 

 into pieces, every one of which will make a plant. It is advisa- 

 ble in this case, however, to store them under finely sifted 

 damp vegetable mould or coconut fibre until they start growth, for 

 to plant such pieces into wet soil is to run the risk of their rotting 

 before o-roAVth commences. If bulbils or cerial tubers are used for 

 planting, they should be placed for the first year close together, to 

 form good plants or heads for the next season. It has been found 

 better to follow these plans than to adopt those of the native cultivator, 

 who cuts away his yams from the plant while yet growing and leaves 

 the tops to developc into " heads" for the next season. Where a long 

 succession of yam is required, however, the creole plan will give it, 



