CULTIVATION 235 



When very large fields are to be set the plants are often started 

 in extensive beds heated with fuel. A long trench is dug in the 

 ground about three feet deep. At one end a fire-place is con- 

 structed and a smoke pipe leaols from this the entire length of the 

 trench, where it rises like a chimney. The beds are constructed 

 above this in such a way as to receive all the heat from the fire- 

 place and pipe. Loose boards may serve as the floor for the beds, 

 and heat will thus be supplied from below. 



As the young plants are pulled from the beds they are bunched 

 and sometimes puddled by dipping the roots in thin mud. This 

 prevents much loss and causes the plants to start more promptly 

 when set in the fields. 



Setting the Plants. When enough plants are ready to 

 begin setting and when the weather conditions are favorable 

 for starting a quick growth of the plants, the field is marked with 

 special markers. In the ridge method, the place for each plant 

 on the ridge may be marked by the use of a light roller, on the 

 surface of which are fastened strips at a distance of about eighteen 

 inches. As the roller turns on the surface of the soil the strips 

 will mark lines across two ridges at a time. The horse drawing 

 this light marker walks between two ridges. More commonly the 

 plants are set on the ridges without such marks. In the level 

 method of planting, the rows may be marked by using a drag or 

 rake marker having either prongs or runners at suitable distances 

 to mark the rows. Such a marker may be used to lay off the field 

 in squares, if the plants are to be in rows both ways. 



Planting is done either by hand or by machine transplanters. 

 The latter are used for large plantations and do satisfactory work. 

 The machine is drawn by one team and may be operated by a 

 driver and one or two men or boys to place the plants in the set- 

 ting pockets. These machines will mark the rows, open the soil, 

 set the plants and water them. No marking of the field is required 

 when machine planters are to be used. 



Setting by hand is much slower and a far more expensive pro- 

 cess. Boys are often used to distribute the plants along the rows 

 so that the men setting the plants in the soil carry only their hand 

 dibbers or other tools. 



Cultivation. The cultivation does not need to be deep, if 

 the soil is light and well suited to sweet potatoes. Frequent 

 shallow cultivating is the general rule. If a strip of land was left 

 between the ridges in the preparation of the field this is broken by 



