i8o FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



cultivation is therefore necessary to conserve the mois- 

 ture and keep the land free from weeds. In ridge 

 culture a horse hoe is used, and in level culture a shal- 

 low-toothed cultivator; hence level culture is prefer- 

 able for conserving the moisture content of the soil 

 and protecting the roots. 



Harvesting and Storing. When the vines wilt and 

 die the potatoes are ready to dig. For early potatoes 

 the size of the tubers regulates the time of digging, 

 as an early market makes a great difference in the 

 farmers' profits. On small farms hand digging with a 

 tined fork is resorted to, while on large areas a ma- 

 chine called the potato digger is used with good suc- 

 cess. In harvesting potatoes great care should be 

 taken not to injure them. Early potatoes in particu- 

 lar have tender skins which are easily bruised by care- 

 less handling and such injury lowers their market price. 

 The potatoes should not be exposed any more than is 

 necessary to the light. In storing potatoes a low 

 temperature should be maintained. Potatoes will 

 stand a temperature of 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Too 

 high a temperature is injurious, as it causes the pota- 

 toes to sprout. 



(b) SWEET POTATOES, PEANUTS AND WATER- 

 MELONS. 



By PROF. S. E. MCCLENDON, 

 Asst. Director Louisiana State Experiment Station. 



I. Sweet Potatoes are well adapted, and produce 

 smoother roots of medium size when grown on well- 

 drained, loose, sandy soils. If the lands are heavy 

 and very rich, with an abundance of moisture, the po- 

 tatoes may grow excessively large and be of inferior 

 quality. 



Preparation of the Land. The land should be well 

 prepared before planting. After the slips or vines 



