548 TRANSACTIONS OF TirE 



manure thrown along side of the bed, shake it loosely on the 

 hay (walking backward so as not to pack it) to the depth of six 

 inches or more. Then take a breadboard, lay it on the manure, 

 and walk gently on it to give it uniform sui-face. Upon this put 

 a layer of fine sandy soil, about four inches in depth, on which 

 the potatoes are laid, so as not to touch each other, small ones 

 being generally used. Cover the potatoes with the same kind of 

 earth that was put on the manure, so deep that when youi- fore 

 finger is thrust through it, upon the potato, the earth will come 

 to the middle joint. Cover the bed with coarse hay, two or three 

 feet deep, to prevent the heat from escaping, and the rain from 

 wetting it. Take off the hay in the heat of the day, from nine 

 to three o'clock, if it is warm weather. When the bed begins to 

 heat it must be examined by running the hand into it. A 

 moderate warmth is all that is necessary j more than that will be 

 injurious, and must be counteracted by leaving off the cover at 

 night, or by applying cold water. When the plants appear, and 

 afterward, they must be watered daily, unless the bed should be 

 too cold to allow it. Warm water from a pond or ditch is best. 

 A basket of seed, if small, is expected to produce at least 1,500 

 plants J sometimes more than double that amount is obtained. 

 Large seed don't yield so much. Light sandy soil, free from 

 undecomposed vegetable matter, is generally selected for the crop. 

 Plow as for oats, harrow thoroughly, mark it out thirty-three 

 inches each way for the hills. 



The manure for sweet potatoes must be well rotted by com- 

 posting it, or otherwise. Marl mixed with it is an advantage. 

 From eight to thirteen two-horse loads, according to quality and 

 abundance, are used per acre for composting. When rotten, a 

 one-horse cart load will make from 250 to 400 hills. Tlie hills 

 should be made, or the manure covered as soon as it is put in the 

 hills. From four to six good hoes full of earth are sufficient to 

 make a hill. The plants are taken from the bed and put into 

 the hills about the middle of May, and so onward to the first of 

 July. As often a§ one growth of plants are pulled another takes 

 its place. Care must be taken, when pulling the plants, to hold 

 the potato firmly in the bed by pressing on it with the left hand. 



