S WEE T-P OTATO — TOMATO 497 



Sweet-potatoes are grown from sprouts planted on ridges or hills, 

 not by planting the tubers, as with the common or Irish potato. The 

 method of obtaining these sprouts is as follows: In April, tubers of 

 sweet-potatoes are planted in a partially spent hotbed by using the 

 whole tuber (or if a large one, by cutting it in two through the long way) , 

 covering the tubers with 2 inches of light, well-firmed soil. The sash 

 should be put on the frames and only enough ventilation given to keep 

 the potatoes from decaying. In ten or twelve days the young sprouts 

 should begin to appear, and the bed should be watered if dry. The 

 sprouts when pulled from the tuber will be found to have rootlets at the 

 lower end and along the stems. These sprouts should be about 3 to 5 

 inches long by the time the ground is warm enough to plant them 

 out on their ridges. 



The ridges or hills should be prepared by plowing out a furrow 4 to 

 6 inches deep. Scatter manure in the furrow and plow back the soil 

 so as to raise the center at least 6 inches above the level of the soil. 

 On this ridge the plants are set, placing the plants well in to the leaves 

 and about 12 to 18 inches apart in the rows, the rows being from 3 to 4 

 feet apart. 



The after-cultivation consists in stirring the soil between the ridges; 

 and as the vines begin to run they should be lifted frequently to pre- 

 vent rooting at the joints. When the tips of the vines have been 

 touched by frost the crop may be harvested, the tubers left to dry a few 

 days, and stored in a dry, warm place. 



To keep sweet potatoes, store in layers in barrels or boxes in dry 

 sand, and keep them in a dry room See that all bruised or chilled 

 potatoes are thrown out. 



Tomato. — The tomato is an inhabitant of practically every home 

 garden, and everybody understands its culture (Fig. 316). 



The early fruits are very easily grown by starting the plants in a 

 greenhouse, hotbed, or in shallow boxes placed in windows. A pinch 

 of seed sown in March will give all the early plants a large family can 

 use. When the plants have reached the height of 2 or 3 inches, 

 they should be transplanted into 3-inch flower-pots, old berry 

 boxes, or other receptacles, and allowed to grow slowly and stocky 

 until time to set tHem out, which is from May 15 on (in New York). 

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