124 THE HANDBOOK FOR PRACTICAL FARMERS 



Propagation. — Sweet potatoes are usually propagated by 

 means of rooted plants or "slips" from the tubers, and by cut- 

 tings from the vines. In parts of Virginia and the Carolinas 

 the early vines may be planted for a crop of small potatoes to 

 be used for seed. In the more southern states the main crop is 

 produced from the vine cuttings. 



If an early crop of potatoes is desired the slips should be 

 planted in the field as soon as danger of frost is past. It is 

 necessary in such a case to order the plants from a more south- 

 ern latitude, where the j^lants may be grown in the open soil; 

 or if home-grown plants are desired, the seed tubers should be 

 bedded in hotbeds where earl}^ sprouting may be forced and pro- 

 tection against frost afforded. As a general rule, home-grown 

 I)lants will make more satisfactory yields than those shipped 

 from a distance. 



Hotbeds of the ordinary types may be used for bedding the 

 tubers. These beds are usually six feet wide and as long as 

 desired, in order that the standard sash, which is three by six 

 feet, may be used. In addition to the heat from the sun's rays, 

 hot-beds are usually supplied with artificial heat, which may be 

 obtained from fermenting horse manure or from heated pipes 

 or flues. 



In preparing the hotbed for the seed a layer of fresh horse 

 manure should be placed in the bed to a depth of eight to ten 

 inches after it is well packed. The manure should be thoroughly 

 chopped and mixed in order that it may be of uniform texture 

 throughout. If it is dry, sprinkle "\vith water to make it pack 

 evenly. A layer of good sandy soil three inches deep should 

 then be spread over the manure. Use pure sand if it can be 

 secured. 



After preparing the bed, cover with the sash and allow the 

 bed to heat for a few days before bedding the potatoes. 



The tubers are pressed down sidewise in the soil, far enough 

 apart to prevent touching, and are then covered with two or 

 three inches of loose, sandy soil. The space required to plant a 

 given quantity of sweet potatoes varies with the size of the 

 tubers. More space is needed for a bushel of smalh tubers than 

 for the same measure of large ones. A bed six by thirty feet 

 should give enough plants for one acre. 



The bed should be watered carefully in order tliat it might 

 not become saturated nor allowed to get dry. Keep the sash on 

 the beds during cold weather and ventilate on "warm days by 

 propping up one end of the sash. 



