The Sweet Potato and its Cultivation. 



231 



Soil Collection on the Faem. 



Further from the Moordkuil River than No. 2, and more to the 

 west, a sample of reddish soil (No. 3) was collected from the same 

 stretch of alluvium ; it represented a portion of the alluvial stretch 

 about If morg-en in area, on which oats were g-iowing-. This field has 

 been under cultivation, according to Mr. Harold llobertson, for 



^ 



J_^c 



•Scale of Cape Roods . 

 ClSC.feef-= I C. Rood ) ■ 



Fia. 1. 



about 15 years, and had been manured once every other season with 

 manure from the cattle kraal. During those 15 years it has grown 

 principally sweet potatoes under irrigation, swedes, barley, beans, 

 and peas being used, however, as rotation crops. Up to about four 

 years ago the sweet potato crops were quite good, but since that time 

 the tuhei's have deteriorated, although the production of runners has 

 continued quite satisfactory. Latterly it has been found, moreover, 

 that the peas do not germinate well, 



