THE DASHEEN, A ROOT CROP FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 31 



been obtained, even in good soil, when two successive crops of 

 dasheens are grown on the same ground. 



The growing of a dasheen crop is probably no more expensive than 

 that of a potato crop. Although the season for the dasheen is much 

 longer than that for the potato, the large leaves of the former tend 

 by shading to keep down weeds after midseason. 



FERTILIZER. 



Experiments made at the Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Sta- 

 tion ^ mdicate that ordinary stable manure is better suited than 

 commercial fertilizer for use in gro^\'ing dasheens and other plants of 

 tliis kind. Where there is a deficiency of potash in the soil, however, 

 as in most of the sandy soils of the South, and especially where 

 stable manure is not available, a fertilizer rich in potash should be 

 applied. From 600 to 1,000 pounds to the acre may be used, the 

 quantity depending upon the state of fertility of the soil. The fer- 

 tilizer should be applied ^\atliin a few weeks after planting, and a 

 second application may be desirable in midsummer in some mstances. 



HARVESTING. 



Harvesting, for the present at least, is more costly than for pota- 

 toes, because of the hand labor required in separating, cleaning, and 

 sorting the tubers. A 10-inch plow has proved satisfactory for turn- 

 ing the plants over wdien the area gro^^^l is large enough to justify its 

 use. Even on sandy land, however, the multitude of fibrous roots 

 hold the soil so firmly that a clump of tubers can not be separated 

 except by hand. The plants should be grasped bv the tops and the 

 clumps thoroughly shaken to dislodge as much of the soil as possi- 

 ble. They can then be broken apart by means of the tops, and in 

 dry weather the tubers, with tops still attached, should be left on 

 the ground to dry for four to six days. 



It is liiglily desirable to harvest the crop during a dry spell, as it 

 is of the utmost importance that the tubers have time to dry well 

 in the open air before being stored. The tubers should not in any 

 case be exposed to frost. 



GRADING. 



The grading of dasheens is of primary importance, especially where 

 the grower A\Tshes to buUd up a market among hotels and other dis- 

 crmiiiiatmg consumers. The first gi-ade should contain only perfect 

 tubers of uniform size and shape, weigliing approxunately 4 to 5 



iSee U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bulletin 1&4, entitled " Promising 

 root crops for the South," p. 12, 1910. 



ICir. 11.-7] 



