426 



GARDEN FARMING 



prepared in much the same way as seed beds for tobacco. This 

 area can be made the site of a large brush heap, and after burning 

 the brush to kill weed seeds and warm the soil, the tubers can be 

 bedded in the area in the regular manner. 



If fire hotbeds are not used, the tubers may be bedded in ordi- 

 nary hotbeds or cold frames, such as illustrated in figure 1 6 1 , or in 

 a greenhouse if one is available. After the slips have grown to a 

 height of 6 inches or more they are separated from the mother root 

 by grasping the sprouts with one hand, the mother root with the other, 

 and pulling. It is desirable to retain as many roots as possible at the 



FIG. 162. Setting sweet-potato plants by hand 



base of the slips, and disturb the roots as little as possible in break- 

 ing off the slips. Other shoots will develop immediately, and it is 

 possible to get two or three drawings from the same bed during the 

 season. In those climates where it is not necessary to make special 

 preparations for bedding the plants or for the construction of hot- 

 beds for the production of sets, the cultivation of the sweet potato 

 becomes a very simple and inexpensive operation, and it is in those 

 latitudes that its greatest use as a stock food may be expected. 



Planting. The preparation of the ridges for planting has already 

 been described. The sets are usually placed at intervals of about 

 15 inches. If the work is done by hand, as shown in figure 162, 



