SWEET PEA SWEET POTATOES 217 



which water may be caught. After the soil is thoroughly 

 soaked with water, a good mulch will hold the moisture. To 

 have the ground ready in early spring, it is a good plan to 

 trench the soil in the fall. The top of the soil then dries out 

 very quickly in the spring and is left in good physical condi- 

 tion. Frequent syringing with clear water will 

 keep off the red spider that often destroys -the 

 foliage, and attention to picking the seed pods 

 will lengthen the season of bloom. If the finest 

 flowers are wanted, do not let the plants stand 

 less than 8-12 inches apart. 



A succession of sowings may be-made at inter- 

 vals through May and June, and a fair fall crop 

 obtained if care is taken to water and mulch ; 

 but the best results will be secured with the very 

 early planting. In the middle and southern states, 

 the seed may be planted in fall, particularly in 

 lighter soils. It is easy to get soils too rich in nitrogen for 

 Sweet Peas ; in such case, they will run to vine at the ex- 

 pense of flowers. If the plants are watered, apply enough 

 to soak the soil, and do not water frequently. 



Sweet Potatoes are grown from sprouts 

 planted on ridges or hills, not by planting the tubers, as 

 with the common or Irish potato. The method of obtaining 

 these sprouts is as follows: In April, tubers of Sweet 

 Potatoes are planted in a partially spent hotbed by using the 

 whole tuber (or if a large one, by cutting it in two through 

 the long way), covering the tubers with 2 inches of light, 

 well firmed soil. The sash should be put on the frames and 

 only enough ventilation given to keep the Potatoes from de- 

 caying. In ten or twelve days the young sprouts should 

 begin to appear, and the bed should be watered if dry. The 

 sprouts when pulled from the tuber will be found to have 

 rootlets at the lower end and along the stems. These 

 sprouts should be about 3 to 5 inches long by the time 

 the ground is warm enough to plant them out. The ridgts 



