For the Southern States. 69 



Scrape off the grass and young weeds with the hoe, and pull up the 

 larg-e 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 pota- 

 toes 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 fashioned potato bank is the best arrange- 

 ment for keeping them, the main points being a dry place and venti- 

 lation. 



Varieties generalhj cultivated in the South. 



Tlie Yam. Taking into consideration quality and productive- 

 ness, 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. 



Soutliern <^uceii. Very similar to the former, but smoother, 

 the tubers having no veins or very few ; it is earlier. 



Sliang:liai or California l^am. This is the earliest variety 

 we have, frequently, under favorable circumstances, giving good 

 sized tubers tAvo 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 speci- 

 mens frequently stringy. 



There are some other varieties of Sweet Potatoes highly i^rized in 

 the West, but not appreciated here. The Eed and Yellow Nanse- 

 mond are of a line quality and productive, but will not sell so well as 

 the California Yam when taken to market. For home consumption 

 they are fine, and deserve to be cultivated. 



PUMPKIN. 



PoTiRON (Fr.), KiiRBiss (Ger.), Calabaza (Sp.). 



Kentucky Field. I Cashaw Ceook Neck. 



Large Cheese. ' Golden Yellow Mammoth. 



Are generally grown in the field, with the excei)tion of the Ca- 

 shaw, 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 

 productive ; best for stock. 



Larg-e Clieese. This is of a bright orange, sometimes salmon 

 color, fine grained, and used for thetable or for stock feeding. 



Casliaw" (Crook IVeck.) This is very extensively cultivated in 

 the South for table use. There are tw^o kinds, one all yellow, and the 

 other green striped with light yellow color. The latter is the prefer- 

 able kind ; the flesh is fine grained, yellow and very sweet. It keeps 

 well. This variety takes the place here of the Winter Squashes, which 

 are verv little cultivated. 



