SWEET POTATO. 



195 



you wish to transplant. This is done by immersing tlie 

 roots in water thickened with rich earth. It refreshes the 

 slips, and gives them a thin coating of earth as a protection 

 against the atmosphere. Draw the slips when about three 

 or four inches high, by placing the left hand on the bed 

 near the sprout to steady the root, and prevent its being 

 pulled up with the sprout, which is loosened with the right 

 hand, taking care not to disturb the fibrous roots of the 

 mother potato, for this continues to afford a succession of 

 slips which may be successfully transplanted until the 

 1st of July. After the piece is planted go over it again 

 in a few days to plant over any place where the slips may 

 have failed. As soon as the ground gets a little weedy, 

 scrape it over, loosening the earth and covering up the 

 weeds, but be careful not to injure the young slips. Faith- 

 ful cultivation and frequent moving the soil are as benefi- 

 cial to this crop as to any other. At one of the hoeings 

 just before being laid by, the ground should be deeply 

 moved with the plough or spade, but not too close to the 

 plants. They should be laid by before the plants run a 

 great deal, after which they should be undisturbed. Be 

 careful not to cover the vines, but if they become attached 

 to the soil, loosen them up from it, so that the vigor of the 

 plants may be thrown into the roots and not into the run- 

 ning vines. Make the hills large and broad, not pointed. 

 In hoeing draw the vines carefully over towards you 

 while you draw up the earth and cover the weeds ; then 

 lay them carefully back, and finish the other side in the 

 same manner. At this time it is an excellent plan to fill 

 the spaces between the rows with leaves and litter while 

 the ground is wet, to retain the moisture. After the vines 

 have covered the ground too much to use the hoe, any 

 large weeds that appear should be pulled up by hand. 

 The Yam Potato can also be raised from seed, but the 



