POTATOES 145 



which are grown from the roots. Where the season is 

 long enough, this method is preferred because the roots 

 are many times affected with diseases, and these are 

 avoided by using the slips. 



Cultivation. After the plants have started to 

 grow, the ridges between the rows are cultivated down 

 to level the field and cover the vines to a greater depth. 

 The ground is tilled to keep the top loose, to kill weeds, 

 and save moisture. Sweet potatoes are harvested by 

 plowing or digging out the roots in the fall, before dan- 

 ger of frost. They are allowed to lie on the top of the 

 ground in the sun for a few hours, until they are dry, 

 when they are picked up into baskets and packed into 

 barrels to send to market, or are stored in houses built 

 to keep them through the winter. 



Uses. Sweet potatoes are used for human food, 

 for stock food, for the manufacture of alcohol, and for 

 other purposes. They make a delicious vegetable 

 to serve with meats. They are more extensively grown 

 in the United States than in other countries. 



QUESTIONS 



1 . How are potatoes propagated ? 



2. What soil conditions are best for potatoes ? 



3. Under what climatic conditions do potatoes grow ? 



4. What are the five leading potato states ? (See Yearbook 

 of Agriculture.) 



5. What methods are used in growing potatoes in the section 

 in which you live? What are the varieties most generally 

 raised ? 



B. AND D. AG. 



