370 TTIE KITCHEN GARDEN. [May 



or three plants will be sufficient in each; they are not so tenacious 

 of a particular soil as either melons or cucumbers, but will grow 

 freely in any dry ami tolerably rich ground; they are to be sown 

 at the same time as directed for sowing melons and cucumbers in 

 the open ground, and should be kept constantly clean and free from 

 weeds. 



The various kinds of gourds, which are more cultivated for orna- 

 ment than use, may be sown where they can be trained to trellises, 

 fences, walls, or to cover arbours. 



When you intend to cultivate either melons, cucumbers, squashes, 

 pumpkins, or the like kinds, on a large or extensive scale, you can 

 prepare the ground with a plough, which will save much labour; 

 and also, afterwards, as the weeds advance, plough and harrow 

 between the plants till they begin to run, after which, the hoe must 

 be used. 



Sweet Potatoes, 



The Convolvulus batatas, or sweet potato, is a native of both 

 Indies, also of China, Cochin-china, &c. But it is affirmed that it 

 was unknown in the Philippine and Molucca islands before the 

 Spaniards brought it there. In Amboina, Banda, Ternate, &c, the 

 inhabitants add Castela to the name, as having received it from the 

 Castilians or Spaniards. It was first brought into Spain from the 

 West-Indies, or Spanish Main, and was there cultivated long be- 

 fore the Solatium tuberosum, or common potato, was known in 

 Europe. 



The sweet potato requires a Very light, sandy, and tolerably 

 rich soil to bring it to good perfection. The time to plant it in 

 the middle states is the first ten days in May, or more generally 

 it is planted about the eighth or tenth of the month. It is remarked 

 that the earlier and more forward crops are always most produc- 

 tive and best for eating; and several people to accomplish this end, 

 first sprout them in hot-beds, and then plant them out in the fol- 

 lowing manner. 



The ground being first well pulverized by ploughing and har- 

 rowing, &c. is afterwards laid out by the plough in squares of 

 four or five feet each, and at the intersections of the scores or fur- 

 rows, hills are made, in the manner directed for melons and cucum- 

 bers, in page 368; into each of these, one or two good sets are 

 planted, and covered about an inch deep, or a little better; as they 

 advance in growth the hills are enlarged by drawing the earth up 

 around Ihem with a hoe? or, by first cross ploughing the ground, 

 harrow it with a very narrow harrow, and then finishing and round- 

 ing the hills with a broad hoe. They ought to be kept constantly 

 free from weeds, and the frequent enlargement of the hdls will 

 encourage the growth and increase the number of roots. 



When they are cultivated upon a small scale in gardens, all this 

 work may be performed with a spade and hoe. 



