254 



CROPS THAT REQUIRE TRANSPLANTING 



the latter, and are used for salads, '' stuffed peppers," and mixed 

 pickles. The small-fruited sorts are for the most part exceedingly 

 pungent, and are most in demand for flavoring pickles or making 

 pepper sauce. Both types may be used in either the green or 

 ripe state, though the large type is more often used green, and the 

 small type in the mature condition. In the South, ripe peppers 

 are dried for winter use; in the North they are sometimes canned. 



SWEET POTATOES 



Sweet potatoes belong naturally to warm climates. They 

 constitute a very important crop in the South and are grown to 

 a considerable extent in certain localities in central latitudes, 



especially where the soil is sandy. The farther north they are 

 grown the greater the precautions necessary to insure sufficient 

 warmth and dryness of soil to promote their proper development. 

 Warm, well-drained soil and a southern exposure are selected. 

 The land is thrown up in ridges to further facihtate surface drain- 

 age and insure greater warmth (Fig. 157). Planting in the field 

 is deferred until the weather is warm, even if that is after the first 

 of June. The sweet potato delights in hot, dry weather, and after 

 the plants are once fully established, very little rainfall is necessary 

 to produce a good crop. In wet seasons or in poorly-drained soil, 

 the tubers are likely to be long and stringy instead of short and 

 plump, as is desired. 



