428 



SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



The blooms of the sweet-potato are purphsh, and in 

 shape and size resemble ^hose of the larger wild morning- 

 glories. 



Composition and Uses 

 396. Uses. — The principal present use of the sweet- 

 potato is as a vegetable for human use. It is shipped to 

 the Northern markets in enormous quantities. On farms 

 it is also used as food for live-stock, especially for hogs. 



Analyses of swcct-polalo roots, vines, and dried or desiccated 

 sweet-potatoes 



397. Value as food. — From the alwve table, it may 

 be noted that the sweet-potato root is s]ieeialh- rich in 

 nitrogen-free extract, which consists chiefly of starch and 

 sugar. Therefore, in any diet for man or animal, sweet- 

 potatoes should be supplemented liy foods rich in protein. 



' Average of 14 varieties grown at S. (^. Expr. Sta. in 1908 

 (Bui. 146). 



= Farmer's Rul. No. 129, U. S. Dept. of Agr. 



' Calculated from average composition of dry matter found in 

 four varieties ; S. C. E.xpr. Sta., No. 140. 



