Sweet Potato 



311 



still attached to the tuber. Two to four crops of 

 slips " or draws may be taken from one tuber. The 

 tuber is usually planted whole; but large and sound 

 tubers may be cut in two lengthwise and the cut side 

 laid downwards, although this treatment invites decay. 

 (2) Cuttings are made from the ends of vines. They 

 are taken from the earliest -planted or most vigorous 

 vines ; sometimes a few vines are set very early for the 

 particular purpose of securing plants for the remainder 

 of the field. The cutting is usually 10-12 inches long. 

 The leaves are removed, except at the tip, and the 

 cutting is buried directly in the soil where it is to grow 

 permanently, being laid in a nearly horizontal position, 

 with only an inch or so of the tip projecting. 



The sweet potato requires a deep, well-drained, sandy 

 loam. The soil should be liberally supplied with well- 

 rotted manure. Wood ashes is often found to be a most 

 excellent fertilizer. The soil should be well prepared 

 before the slips are set, so as to avoid the necessity of 

 cultivating close to the roots. Clean tillage should be 

 practiced until the ground is too thickly covered by the 

 vines. After this large weeds should be removed with 

 hand tools. The slips are set in rows about 3 feet apart, 

 and the slips themselves are 18 inches apart. 



The purpose for which the crop is grown will 

 determine very largely the variety, and the variety will 

 determine the care necessary; e. g., the Eed Bermuda 

 will grow in almost any soil and under very adverse 

 conditions of climate and moisture, but the quality can- 

 not be compared to that of the so-called yams. 



Immediately after the first frost the potatoes should 



