Potatoes 



209 



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may be plowed without affecting the length of the potato. In 

 the South most of the crop is planted on ridges. Experience 

 indicates that low ridges, not over four or five inches above 

 the water-furrow, are preferable to high ones. The ridges are 

 generally made over a furrow in which fertilizer has been dis- 

 tributed. In New Jersey level cultivation is practiced. 



The sweet potato slips for 

 planting are secured by plac- 

 ing the roots in a layer in 

 hot-beds or especially con- 

 structed places supplied with 

 bottom heat. Above the 

 layer of potatoes is placed 

 a layer of leaf -mold or sandy 

 soil. The roots are bedded 

 about six weeks before the 

 time of setting the slips in 

 the field. When the slips 

 are about six or seven inches 

 long, they are removed, or 

 drawn, as the operation is 

 called, and transplanted to 

 the field. Fig. 91 shows the 

 rooted slips ready for set- 

 ting in the field and Fig. 92, 

 the beds with slips ready to 

 pull. The bed must be watered and the slips drawn carefully. 

 The potato is held down with one hand and the slip pulled loose 

 with the other, the potato being left in the bed so that more 

 slips will develop from it. Later another drawing of slips is 

 made. To prevent the roots from drying out, the slips should 

 be set in the field as soon as possible after they are removed 

 from the bed. Some growers dip them in a thin mixture of 

 clay, fresh cow manure, and water. This forms a coating over 

 them and prevents drying out. Many growers prefer to set 



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FIG. 91. Sweet potato 



setting in the field. 



ready for 



