218 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



or hills should be prepared by plowing out a furrow 4 to 6 

 inches deep. Scatter manure in the furrow and plow back 

 the soil so as to raise the center at least 6 inches above the 

 level of the soil. On this ridge the plants are set, placing 

 the plants well in to the leaves, and about 12 to 18 inches 

 apart in the rows, the rows being from 3 to 4 feet apart. 

 The after cultivation consists in stirring the soil between the 

 ridges ; and as the vines begin to run they should be 

 lifted frequently to prevent rooting at the joints. When the 

 tips of the vines have been touched by frost the crop may be 

 harvested, the tubers left to dry a few days, and stored in a 

 dry, warm place. To keep Sweet Potatoes, store in layers 

 in barrels or boxes in dry sand, and keep them in a dry 

 room. See that all bruised or chilled potatoes are thrown out. 



Syringing plants with water has two general 

 offices: to clean the plants of pests or of dirt; to check 

 evaporation or transpiration from the plant itself. 



Gardeners look upon water as a good insecticide. That 

 is, if it can be thrown upon the plants somewhat forcibly by 

 means of a syringe or pump, or by the hydrant hose, it will 

 wash off the insects and drown many of them. The water 

 should be applied in a line and somewhat forcible spray. 

 Care should be taken that the plant is not torn or bruised. 

 The red spider is one of the most serious pests on house 

 plants, and, in a dry season, on plants about the lawn. 

 It thrives in a dry atmosphere. It usually lives on the 

 under sides of the leaves. Syringing the plants frequently 

 will destroy the pests. The thrips and slugs on rose bushes 

 can nearly always be kept in check if one can spray or 

 syringe his plants frequently. See Spraying. 



Syringing to check transpiration from the foliage is 

 very useful with plants which are recently transplanted. 

 For instance, when carnations are taken from the field and 

 placed in the house, it is well to syringe them occasionally 

 until they have become established. The same is true with 

 cuttings. 



