FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 63 
manure; in this dip the roots of the slips and press the earth firmly around them. Old slips 
are more tenacious of life than young ones, and will under circumstances answer best. 
ing afterwards, if dry weather continues, of course will be beneficial. 
vines and slips just before or after a rain. 
distance. 
the potatoes are ready to be dug. 
Water- 
Otherwise plant your 
Two feet apart in the rows is considered a good 
The ridges should never be disturbed by a plow from the time they are made until 
Serape off the grass and young weeds with the hoe, and pull up the large ones by hand. 
Crab grass is peculiarly inimical to the sweet potato, and should be carefully kept out of the 
patch. The vines should never be allowed to take root between the rows, 
Sweet potatoes 
should be dug before a heavy frost occurs; a very light one will do no harm. The earth should 
be dry enough to keep it from sticking to the potatoes. 
The old tashioned potato bank is the 
best arrangement for keeping them, the main points being a dry place and ventilation. 
Varieties generally cultivated in the South, 
The Yam. Taking into consideration 
quality and productiveness, the Yam stands at 
the head of the list. Frequently, when baked, 
the saccharine matter in the shape of candy 
will be seen hanging to them in strings. Skin 
and flesh yellow and very sweet. Without a 
doubt the best potato for family use. 
Southern Queen. Very similar to 
the former, but smoother, the tubers having 
no veins or very few; it is earlier. 
Shanghai or California Yam. 
This is the earliest variety we have, frequently, 
under favorable circumstances, giving good 
sized tubers two months after planting the 
vine. Very productive, having given 300 
bushels per acre when planted early and on 
rich land. Is almost the only kind cultivated 
for the New Orleans market. Skin dull white 
or yellow, flesh white, dry and mealy, in large 
specimens frequently stringy. 
There are some other varieties of Sweet Potatoes highly prized in the West, but not appre- 
The Red and Yellow Nansemond are of a fine quality and productive, but will 
For home consumption they are 
ciated here. 
not sell so well as the California Yam when taken to market. 
fine, and deserve to be cultivated. 
PUMPKIN. 
Porrron (Fr.), Kiirsiss (Ger. ), 
CaLABAZA (Sp.). 
Kentucky Field. 
Large Uheese. 
Cashaw Crook Neck. (Green Striped. ) 
Golden Yellow Mammoth. 
Are generally grown in the field, with 
the exception of the Cashaw which is 
planted in the garden; but great care 
must be taken not to plant them close to 
Squashes or Melons, as they will mix and 
spoil their quality. Plant in hills from 
eight to twelve feet apart. 
Kentucky Field. Large round, 
soft shell, salmon color; very produc- 
tive; best for stock. 
Large Cheese. This is of 
a bright orange, sometimes salmon 
color, fine grained, and used for 
table or stock feeding. 
Cashaw Crook Neck. 
This is extensively cultivated in 
the South for table use. There are 
two kinds, one all yellow and the 
other green striped with light 
yellow color. The latter is the 
preferable kind; the flesh is fine 
grained, yellow, very sweet, and 
better than any Winter Squash. It 
keeps well; it takes the place here 
of the Winter Squashes, which are 
very little cultivated. The striped 
variety has been cultivated here == 
since a century and never was = 
found North or West; since a few == 
years it has been brought out by == 
Northern Seedsmenas “Japan — 
Pie Pumpkin.”’ I had this 
Green Striped Cashaw Crook Neck. 
“@py 7 
Golden Yellow Mammoth. 
