986 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The seed was sown in 14 in. drills, April 7, and on September 7 the 

 Italian onions were ripe, while the plants from the Minnesota seed were 

 still green and showing very few bulbs. Later in the season some of 

 the Minnesota onions formed small, soft bulbs of little market value. 

 The estimated yield per acre was as follows : Italian Prizetaker 500 bu., 

 Minnesota Prizetaker 33 bu., French Giant Eocca 518 bu. Some of 

 the Minnesota seed was sown also in that State, where it produced a 

 large crop of tine onions. 



The experiment is considered as indicating that failure in onion crops 

 is as frequently due to improper climatic conditions as to poor seed. 



Sweet potatoes, culture and uses, J. F. Duggar ( U. 8. Dept. Agr.y 

 Farmers^ Bui. 26, pp. 30, figs. 4). — A popular bulletin containing 

 information upon the j)ropagation, soil, transplanting, cultivation, 

 manuring, harvesting and storing, varieties, fungus diseases, insect 

 enemies, uses, and cost of production of sweet potatoes. Propagation 

 by means of sets is advised, although in some cases larger yields have 

 been produced from cuttings. The preferred method of constructing a 

 plant bed is detailed, the potatoes being placed on a thin layer of sand 

 over a thick basis of fresh, moistened barnyard manure, and covered 

 with wood earth. An illustration is given of an artificially heated 

 propagating bed. Sound, well- formed potatoes of small to medium siz© 

 are recommended, from 2 to 4bu. furnishing sufficient sets to plant an 

 acre, about 3 " drawings " being made. 



A light, well-drained soil is advised, the sets being transplanted on 

 low ridges by hand or mechanical devices when danger from frost is over 

 and the sprouts are from 3 to 5 in. above the ground. Placing the 

 plants 18 in. to 2 ft. apart in 3^ to 4 ft. rows seems to give the best 

 results. Shallow, clean cultivation, discontinued the latter part of 

 the season, is recommended, and moving the vines after the last culti- 

 vation is not considered necessarj'. 



Analyses of sweet potato roots and vines, showing the fertilizing 

 ingredients removed by them from the soil, are given, as also formulas 

 for fertilizers to replace the loss. A fair yield per acre is stated to be 

 185 bu. (10,000 lbs.), extracting from the ground 23 lbs. of nitrogen, 

 10 lbs. of phosphoric acid, and 50 lbs. of potash, which can be restored 

 to the soil by 150 lbs. of nitrate of soda, 9() lbs. of acid phosphate, and 

 370 lbs. of kainit. 



It is advised that sweet potatoes be kept at a temperature of 75° F. 

 for a week or two after digging, and throughout the winter the tem- 

 perature be maintained at 50 to 60° F. The storage room or cellar 

 should be dry, to avoid the induction of decay by moisture condensing 

 on the roots. 



As varieties for consumption in the Southern States are recommended 

 Sugar Yam, Yellow Yam, and Barbadoes; in the Northern States, Big 

 Stem Jersey and Nansemond; as food for live stock. Providence, 

 Shanghai, Hay man, Eed Bermuda, and Southern Queen, these being the 

 most productive. 



