POTATOES 



119 



Common Diseases 



CULTURE OF THE SWEET POTATO 



Bt a. G. Smith, Jr., B.S.' 



The sweet potato belongs naturally to warm climates, since 

 it is of tropical origin. It is now so universally cultivated that 

 it has become a part of the daily food of millions in the Far 

 East, on the islands of the Pacific, and throughout tropical South 

 America. In our own great country, it has been a favorite 

 vegetable for centuries. 



In the tropics the sweet potato grows as a perennial where it 

 sometimes blossoms and produces seeds. In all parts of the 

 United States, however, where the potato is cultivated, it is 

 handled as an annual and rarely every produces seeds. 



A warm, sunny climate and a long growing season are two of 

 the essential requirements which Bailey gives for successful 

 sweet potato culture. AVliile such ideal conditions in the United 

 States are found chiefly in the southern and southeastern sec- 

 tions, sweet potatoes are grown profitably as far north as New 

 Jersey and Central Illinois where soil conditions are suitable. 



Soil. — The soil should be well drained, loose, and warm. 

 Sweet potatoes will grow on a variety of soil types but tubers 



* Instructor in Horticulture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. 



