CHAPTEE IV 



PROPAGATION 



The sweet potato produces seed in North America 

 only when the growing season is prolonged by artificial 

 means. The more common varieties are propagated 

 by means of sets taken from the tubers (called " seed ") 

 themselves and from cuttings or vines from the 

 growing crop. The " draws," as they are commonly 

 called in the South, are produced by bedding the tubers 

 in a specially prepared bed where they are sprouted 

 and the young plants removed three or four times as 

 they appear, being set in the field as would the seed- 

 lings of cabbage, tomatoes or similar plants. This 

 practice furnishes the most economical method of propa- 

 gation. The tubers themselves are sometimes planted 

 directly in the field where they are to grow in much 

 the same way as with the common potato. When this 

 method is employed, several plants often appear in one 

 hill, which necessitates thinning. Its use is restricted 

 to special areas or to cases influenced by peculiar con- 

 ditions. Propagation by vine-cuttings has been prac- 

 ticed quite extensively and very satisfactorily in all of 

 the southern states. This practice is especially popu- 

 lar for the late crop and there are several arguments in 

 favor of its more extensive use in controlling disease, 

 in the production of potatoes to be stored, and in render- 

 ing production more economical. At a sweet potato 



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