272 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



can estimate 6,000 per acre for hills, and from 8,000 to 10,000 for 

 ridges, costing $1.50 per thousand. The plants can be shipped 

 very great distances with entire safety. Plant as soon as safe 

 from frost, or from May 15th until June 15th. Commence culti-^ 

 vating about ten days after planting. Use an adjustable cultiva- 

 tor between the ridges, and follow with a shovel plow to keep 

 them in shape, finishing with a hoe on top of the ridge and around 

 the plant. Two or three dressings of this kind at intervals of 

 two weeks or more will be needed. Soon after the vines 

 commence running, they will cover the ground and take care 

 of themselves, when they may be left undisturbed until digging 

 time. 



The Yellow Nansemond and Kentucky Early Red are the only 

 varieties that I can commend for general cultivation. Samples 

 of these varieties I forward for your inspection. More ample 

 directions for cultivation, including preparation of hot-bed and 

 sprouting the sweet potato, furnished gratuitously by addressing 



M. M. jMURRAY, 

 Lov eland, Clermont county, Ohio. 



DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE 

 SWEET POTATO. 



Directions for keeping Sioeet Potatoes.— ^o keep the sweet potato 

 for use through the winter, or for seed, requires much care and 

 experience. A thing that can hardly be told in all its particu- 

 lars. One great requisite is to have the potatoes gathered before 

 they are injured by frost, or by remaining in cold soil, after the 

 vines are killed, and cease to keep the tubers in growing condi- 

 tion. Another very important item is to have them carefully 

 handled. Handle like eggs. It looks tedious, but it will pay. 

 Rough handling surely will not. If they are dry when brought 

 from the field, they may be put up the following day; if moist, 

 they should be allowed to dry twenty-four hours or so before put- 

 ing up. If muddy and wet, a longer time is needed. Throw out 

 all cut and badly bruised ones. 



There are many methods of keeping them. I will recommend 

 sand — coarse sand is best, and the more free from vegetable mat- 

 ter or soil the better. The potatoes may be placed in boxes or 

 bins of any convenient size, only that they must not contain pota- 

 toes more than sixteen inches in depth — better only twelve — and 

 if placed one above another must have an air space of at least 



