220 



GARDEXIXG FOR PLEASURE. 



sand, about the first week in May ; by keeping up 

 an average temperature of 75° or 80°, fine plants will be 

 produced by June 1st, at which time they should be 

 planted in this vicinity. The plants are set in hills three 

 feet apart each way, or on 

 ridges four feet apart, and 

 12 or 15 inches between 

 the plants, drawing the 

 earth up to them as they 

 grow, until the top of the 

 ridge or hill is four or six 

 inches above the level. 

 The soil under the ridges 

 should be highly manured, 

 and as the vines grow they 

 should be kept clear of 

 weeds ; when late in the 

 season they show a dis- 

 position to root at the 

 joints, they must be 

 moved every week or so ; 

 this is easily done by run- 

 ning a rake handle or 

 other stick under the vines 

 and lifting them sufficient- 

 ly to draw out the small 

 roots upon the stem. As 

 is the case with many other 

 vegetables of which the 

 plants or sets are raised in 

 large quantities for sale, it is better and cheaper when 

 Sweet Potato plants are procurable, to' purchase them, 

 than to attempt to raise the small number required in a 

 private garden. A hundred plants not costing more than 

 a dollar, are all that most families would require. The 

 Nansemond is the favorite variety. 



Fig. 101. — SWEET POTATO. 



