CHAPTER XXM 

 SWEET-POTATO — Ipomcea batatas 



IXTHODUCTOPwY 



The sweet-potato Ijelongs to the moniing-giory family 

 iC onvolvulacea) , which also includes a number of common 

 weeds and cultivated flowers. This plant has long been 

 cultivated in the tropical and semitropical regions of 

 both the eastern and the western hemispheres. Its origin 

 is somewhat doubtful, but most authorities regard it as a 

 native of .\merica. 



393. Distribution and climate. — The sweet-potato is 

 •nidely grown throughout the warmer regions of America 

 and Asia, as well as to a smaller extent in other countries. 

 This plant requires a warm climate. Its culture on a 

 large scale is confined in the United States to the region 

 hang south of the hne drawn through central Xew Jersej- 

 to the southern part of Kansas. Xorth of this hne it is 

 sometimes grown, but only on a small scale as a garden 

 vegetable and \^-ithout the best results in either quality 

 or quantity. A number of the cotton-growing states 

 each produces more than four million bushels annually. 



The sweet-potato grows chiefly during the hottest part 

 of the year. In contrast -nith the Irish potato, it may 

 be called strictly a summer crop, a difference that has an 

 important bearing on the character of fertihzers needed 

 for these two crops. 



42.5 



