86 SWEET POTATO CULTXJBE. 



CHAPTER XXIX* 

 SWEET POTATOES FOR HOGS. 



The propagation and culture of the sweet potato are 

 especially profitable and cheap. No difficulty in rais- 

 ing the crop, but its keeping requires care and at- 

 tention. Farmers in the South, who are not convenient 

 to markets, and who are not prepared for storing or 

 do not care to winter the crop, would doubtless do 

 well to use the surplus product as food for hogs. 



" Every farmer in the sweet potato regions," says 

 Mr. W. L. Jones, of the "Southern Cultivator/' "ought 

 to plant largely of the San Domingo type of sweet 

 potatoes for fattening hogs in the fall. Considering 

 quality and quantity, we know of no other food so 

 easily and cheaply raised for this purpose. If the 

 potatoes and corn are dried at the temperature of boil- 

 ing water, three bushels of potatoes will contain as 

 much dry matter as one of corn— not as much fat 

 or albuminous matter in proportion as corn, but more 

 of the starch group of constituents than corn. Peas 

 would make up the deficiency in the potato admir- 

 ably. The two would fit well together and make al- 

 most a perfect ration for fattening hogs. Have a 

 potato and pea patch in the same enclosure, so that 

 the hogs may eat of each at will, and you have the 

 foundation for cheap pork." 



