A necessary point in the growing of groiuid provisions and vegetables, 

 and one tliat should be systematically practised is rotation ; it generally 

 being advisable to plan out in advance what crops shall succeed each 

 other. The growing on the same piece of ground of one kind of crop 

 year after year, tends to impoverish the soil of the particular food 

 required by that plant, and does much harm in assisting the spread of 

 disease and insect pests. Land from which diseased plants are taken 

 should be planted with an entirely different crop. 



YAMS. 



Yams are prolific bearers and yield large crops if grown under suitable 

 conditions. 



The best method of cultivation is to open trenches 1^ to 2 feet wide and 

 eighteen inches deep, at a distance of four feet apart. Pork the bottoms 

 of the trenches and fill them up with a mixture of old manure, and 

 decayed vegetable refuse, leaves, etc., then put the soil dug out of the 

 trenches on top of the manure, etc., so as to form banks about lifteen or 

 eighteen inches high. Trenches dug at least two months before planting, 

 may be filled with raw manure, but this must not be done when they are 

 to be planted immediately. Plant the yams on the banks at 18 inches 

 apart, placing pieces of dry branches, bamboo or other supports for the 

 vines to climb on. Keep the ground clean of weeds and earth up after 

 heavy rains. 



.' Another method of planting yams, and one commonly practised is 

 to dig holes at a distance of 4 feet by 4 feet and eighteen inches in depth, 

 filling and ridging them as advised for banks. 



Yam plants are prepared from (1) the yam heads or upper portion of 

 the tubers (2) small yams or (3) the large yam cut lengthwise and then 

 across into pieces about three to four inches square. Dry the cut surface 

 or cover with ashes or lime, placing it uppermost when planting. 



The best time for planting is in April or May just before the rains. 

 The yam plants may be planted direct on to the ridges, or if the trenches 

 are not ready 'may be started into growth in a bed of good rich soil, 

 transplanting them as they begin to grow. The crop will take about nine 

 months to matu^re. After digging the yams store them in a dark, airy 

 room, and they will keep for several months. If any portions are 

 decayed cut them out and cover the surface with white lime. 



The best yams for planting are the Barbados white, Lisbon, Horn, 

 Guinea and the Chinese or potato yam. 



An average yield of 5 lb. per [plant should be obtained, and often 

 more. 



SWEET POTATOES. 

 After deep forking or ploughing line off at 3 feet apart and bank the 

 soil up in ridges about 18 inches high. Cuttings or slips, made from 

 good stout pieces of stem, about twelve inches in length and from which 

 the leaves have been removed are then inserted in the soil about one 

 foot apart biarying them to about half then- length. Keep the ground 

 weeded and repair any damage done to the banks by heavy rains. Plant 

 the first batch at the beginning of the rainy season and the crop will be fit 



