deep growth by the artificial warmth produced by the manure. By 

 adopting this method, the plant roots secure the benefit of the plant food 

 in the manure, and the potatoes are not injured by coming in direct con- 

 tact with the manure. 



Planting 



The plants should be set out when the ground is warm and all danger 

 of frost ispast. When th e plants are pulled from the hot bed, the roots 

 and as m uch of the stem as was under the ground should be laid in a 

 sappy mi xture of cow and hen manure and leaf mould. Care must be 

 taken not to use too much hen manure in the mixture. The best results 

 are obtained when one part of hen manure, five parts of cow manure and 

 twenty parts of muck of leaf mould are made in a mixture and well 

 moistened. They should be placed in the ground in a dripping condi- 

 tion and the dirt well packed around the root and stem. It is not 

 advisable to set the plants out during the heat of the day. The object 

 in using this rich fertilizer is to secure a rapid early growth, a matter of 

 great importance for the reason that most of the substance of the potato 

 is secured from the atmosphere through the leaves; hence, the more 

 abundant and healthy the leaves are, the greater their absorbing 

 capacity. If the vines are delicate and the leaves are small and sickly 

 the crop will be deficient. 



Cultivation 



Weeds should not be permitted to grow in sweet potatoes if the best 

 results are to be secured ; hence, it is necessary to hoe and cultivate them 

 often enough to keep the weeds down before the vines spread. Some- 

 times it is a good plan, just as the vines are beginning to run, to cover 

 the gi'ound with a straw mulch. This mulch prevents the escape of 

 moisture, and, in a great measure, lessens the growth of weeds. 



Harvesting 



Sweet potatoes should not be dug until they are ripe. The farmer 

 can ascertain by breaking one in half or cutting it. After it is broken, 

 or cut, if the potato does not ooze much fluid and remains the same color, 

 it is ripe and ready to dig, but if it turns a yellowish or blackish color, it 

 is still green. While a light frost is not detrimental, if the vines are per- 

 mitted'to freeze, the end of the potato will rot and have a bitter taste. 



When the potatoes are ready to dig, an ordinary walking plow should 

 be run an inch or two deep between the rows to gather the vines so that 

 they can be cut off with a sharp hoe. After the tops have been removed, 

 the potatoes can be dug by using a fourteen or sixteen-inch plow, run- 

 ning it so that the hill of potatoes is inverted. The potatoes can now be 

 taken out, the dirt knocked off and placed where they will dry. (Ireat 

 care should be taken not to bruise or cut them. Injured ones should not 

 be placed in storage, for they will not only rot, but spoil others. 



