1862. 



THE ILLINOIS FAKMEE. 



171 



|.7roin Field Notes.] 



Sweet Potatoe Culture. 



PLANTINO. 



This may be done from the middle of May to 

 the middle of June. In some seasons it may be 

 commenced earlier than this; in some it may be 

 continued later. Generally, the best time is, 

 from the lOth or 15th of May, to about the same 

 in Jane. It should not be done until the plants 

 are out of reach of frosts, and the ground warm 

 enough to promote immediate growth. 



A peculiarity of the Nansemond variety is, its 

 adaptation to a great variety of soils — even loamy 

 clfcys, quite heavy with clay, if lying elevated, 

 and manured. Not cold or wet grounds. Gener- 

 ally, high, eandy soils are most suitable. Al- 

 most any soil that will produce corn well, will 

 pioduce this, except low alluvial grounds, where 

 there is too much of vegetable mold, that causes 

 excessive running to vines. New groundti pro- 

 duce this crop well, where there is not too much 

 vegetable deposit, and moisture ; not turf. Turf 

 should first be subdued with another crop ; corn 

 or wheat is favorable. 



Use animal, rather than vegetable, manure — 

 that is, from the stable, rather than the straw 

 stack. We have used ashes, applied as a top 

 dresoing, with very satisfactory results. Till 

 deeply. All the better for sub-soiling. We have 

 Bub- soiled in years past, and are sure it pays. 



Plow when the land is in good condition ; no 

 matter if a week or t wo, or more, before time for 

 planting. At planting time, pulverize well ; if 

 necessary, with harrowing and rolling — (or what 

 is better, drag-crushing), and throw into high 

 ridges by turning together two furrows with a 

 two-horse plow making the ridges about three 

 and a half feet from center to center. Set the 

 plants separately, fifteen to eighteen inches apart 

 in the ridge. We use a common mason's trowel 

 in setting ; thrusting the trowel somewhat 

 obliquely, and as the trowel rises, the plant in 

 the other hand takes its place. Have the roots 

 wet, and press the earth well around them, if the 

 ground is not too moist. Set the plants so that 

 the stems of the lower leaves will be covered, 

 and that they may sprout again if cut by worms 

 or frost. If the plants are very long, they should 

 be set more obliquely, so that the lower ends or 

 roots will not be too far below the surface. 



The ground should be moist, at least on top, 

 when ridging is done ; but should not be heavy 

 or muddy. If the ground be quite dry when the 

 planting need be done, the plants may be watered 

 — putting them in otherwise, well pressed, leav- 

 ing a cavity around the stem, into which pour 

 about a pint, immediately. When the water has 

 soaked into the earth, and the leav«s become dry, 

 pull some dirt into the cavity, thus p;eventing 

 **baking" around the plant. When the soil is 

 moist, planting may be done throngh the day, 

 giving attention to their being well pressed around 

 the roots. The plams will wilt some, but will 

 revive at night and never wilt again. Those hav- 

 ing but few, can set them in the afternoon or 

 evening. The eweet potato will bear transplant- 



ing, with less moisture of ground than most oth - 

 er plants require. 



In field planting, a boy can drop plants, (car- 

 ried with roots moistened in a basket or bucket) 

 for two men to set — who, when accustomed to it, 

 can plant an acre per day. 



At the distances mentioned, an acre will con- 

 tain about 10,000 plants. 



The ground may be manured by making a fur- 

 row with the plow, and spreading manure along 

 in it — over this, make the ridge ; or spread the 

 manure broadcast before ridging. 



CCLTtTRB, ETC. 



Commence tilling with an adjustable cultivator 

 that can be adopted to the breadth between the 

 ridges, and throw back the earth with a wide 

 ehovel plow, reforming the ridges — finishing with 

 the hoe , particularly after the vines have com- 

 menced running, be careful not to strike into the 

 ground near the stem, lest you eut ofiF the best 

 of the projecting tubers. Do not cut the vines 

 nor cover with earth, but lay them on the ridges 

 out of the way. If they have taken root, it will 

 not harm to lift them — some think it beneficial. 

 In wet seasons, and on grounds producing exces- 

 sive growth of vines, as they took root from time 

 to time, thus checking their growth, and assipting 

 the tubers. Give them frequent hoeings, if pos- 

 sible — sufficient, at least, to keep the ground in 

 good condition. Do not hoe down the ridges, 

 but preserve them. C. B. Mtjrkat. 



From the Country Gentleman. 

 Oiling Harness. 



Messes Editobs : Seeing J. L. R.'s communi- 

 cation in regard to oiling old harness, I will of- 

 fer an improvement on his method of doing the 

 job. It is as follows : 



Take Castile soap and make a strong suds with 

 warm water, and wash the harness with it thor- 

 oughly ; then let it dry, and then oil it with good 

 clean oil, and it will look equal to new. The 

 soap is equal to one oiling, and it leaves the har- 

 ness perfectly clean, and is much better than to 

 u8_e clean, warm water. I have used hen's oil 

 with good success, and I think it better than 

 neat's foot oil for the purpose. Will J. L. R. 

 please to try this method, and report the result. 



Massachusetts. 



,„„ Carrying politeness to excess is said to 

 be raising your hat to a young lady in the street 

 and allowing a couple of dirty collars and a pair 

 of socks to fall out upon the sidewalk. 



omen can easily preserve their youth ; 

 for she who captivates the heart and understand- 

 ing never grows old. 



God pardons, like a mother who klsees 

 the offense into everlasting forgivness. 



