34 SWEET POTATO CULTURE. 



ai)iirt in the rklgc, and as deep as possible, so as not to 

 cover the bud. ''Draws" or "sets," Avhen six inches 

 higli, are of about the right size to plant. 



Some planters say the hand is much better than any- 

 thing else to set with, and by this means the setting is 

 more expeditiously done by boys of from twelve to six- 

 teen years than by grown persons, as they are more sup- 

 ple and have less bending of the back. Some use the 

 short-handled hoe already described ; others use the 

 transplauting-trowel for making the holes or places for 

 the sets. In planting when the weather is dry, as we 

 sometimes are compelled to do, the hills for the plants 

 should be watered with about a i)int or a little less for 

 each hole. When tlie water has subsided, the plants are 

 set, and the soil firmly pressed around each one. The 

 next evening the same cpiantity of water should be 

 poured in a circle around tlie plant. Thus treated, it is 

 rarely that any will be lost. It is a good rule never to 

 list or prepare more rows or hills than can be set in one 

 day, as the plants live better in fresh soil. 



Planting Sets.—'' Just as early as the plants 

 can be safely risked in the open field, say the last of 

 April (in the climate of Nansemond, Va., to the middle 

 of May), draw the plants from the bed, and set them on 

 the fresh, newly-prej)ared ridges or hills. If, when ready 

 to plant, showery weather comes on, we avail ourselves 

 of it, and at once set the plants. If we are ready, and 

 do not desire to defer the setting, we draw the plants, 

 sot the roots, as drawn, in boxes containmg mud of the 

 consistence of cream ; take them to the field and plant 

 late in the evening, firming the earth with the hand ])y 

 pressing it around each plant as it is set. Well-grown 

 plants possess so many fibrous roots and live so easily 

 in freshly-moved soil, that they often seem to do better 

 in this wa^ than when set 8-fter very hard rains, wb^p 



