24 SWEET rOTATO CULTURE. 



plenty of liumus, ])()tash, and otlier factors fnvorable to 

 the j)rodiiction of this esculent in great i)crfection ; and, 

 we judge, these compensate for sandy loam, and give 

 jihintrrs advantages scarcely surpassed in the best potato 

 districts. 



CHAPTER VII. 

 PROPAGATION OF THE SWEET POTATO. 



Propagation, or multiplication, of the Sweet Potato 

 is as varied as with any other plant, and it is effected 

 more readily and to greater extent, than is practicable 

 with many otlier vegetables. Indeed, there are methods 

 used for this jiurpose that insure reproduction almost 

 indefinitely. 



Seed Potatoes. — As like produces like, the potatoes 

 selected for seed should be short, sound, straight, and 

 smooth, and from three-fourths of an inch, to one and 

 a quarter inch in diameter. "When taken from the cellar 

 or pit, tliey should be carefully handled, and put down 

 immediately, as rough carriage bruises them, and causes 

 rot to commence, which continues afterwards in the bed. 



Bedding the Potato. — The Hanover Potato bed 

 generally contains three bushels, or the double beds arc 

 made with six, about ten feet Ijmg by four broad, facing 

 the south. Larger beds are made for extensive cultiva- 

 tion. The bed is dug about eighteen inches deep, and is 

 filled for six inches with oak leaves, or small corn-stalks, 

 and well Avatercd, and well stamped down with the feet. 

 Manure is then brought fresh from the stable, and 

 applied to the depth of one foot ; and this is covered to 

 the depth of four inches with good mould, generally from 



