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J. STECKLER SEED CO., LTD., ALMANAC AND 



but as it is comparatively little known in the 

 South, and has proven to be one of the best 

 of the early varieties, we think it worthy of 

 some special mention, and therefore add it to 

 our list. The potato in appearance bears 

 some resemblance to the Early Triumph, 

 except perhaps in color, which is a little 

 lighter than the latter, and the shape of th»j 

 eyes is somewhat different. Like all pink or 

 red varieties it does best in sandy soil, but 

 will grow very well in heavy soil, and not rot 

 as easy during a wet season. 



Burbanks. Of the late sorts this is more 

 largely used than any other. It is of good 

 size, fine form, and excellent yielder. The 

 flesh is white, and is very mealy and of fine 

 flavor. 



Early Goodrich. Seed small, shape some- 

 thing like that of Burbanks, but with deeper 

 eyes; it is a novelty in Louisiana, but has 

 given entire satisfaction; flesh pure white. 

 This potato is highly recommended for mar- 

 ket and family use. 



Jackson White. An old variety known 

 to Louisiana 30 or 40 years ago, but r f late 

 years has been abandoned entirely. We have 

 been successful in securing stock this year, 

 which we offer to our friends. It produces 

 large tubers of excellent quality; long in 

 shape and similar in appearance to the White 

 Elephant, but a little larger; sound white 

 flesh and good keeper, also a good yielder. 

 We strongly recommend this for family use 

 and market purposes. 



THE SWEET POTATO- 



Convolvulus Batatas. 



Shanghai or California Yam. 



The Yam. 

 Southern Queen, 



CULTURE. — The Sweet Potato is, next to corn, the most important food crop in the 

 South. They are a wholesome and nutritious diet, good for man and beast. Though cul- 

 tivated to a limited extent on the sandy lands of New Jersey and some of the Middle States, 

 it thrives best on the light rich lands of the South, which bring their red and golden fruits to 

 greatest perfection under the benign rays of a Southern sun. It is a plant of a warm climate, 

 a child of the sun, much more nutritious than the Irish Potato on account of the great 

 amount of saccharine matter it contains, and no Southern table should be found without it 

 from thegfirst day of August till the last day of May. Some plant early in spring the Potato 

 itself in the prepared ridges, and cut the vines from the potato when large enough, and plant 

 them out; others start the potatoes in a bed prepared expressly for that purpose, and slip 

 off the sprouts as they come up and set these out. The latter method will produce the earliest 

 potatoes; others who set the vines say that they make the largest tubers. In preparing the 

 land the soil should be thoroughly pulverized, the ridges laid off about five feet apart, well 

 drawn up and rather flat on top. If everything is ready, and time for planting has arrived, 

 do not wait for a rain, make a paste of clay and cow manure; in this dip the roots of the slips 

 and press the earth firmly around them. Old slips are more tenacious of life than young 

 ones, and will under favorable circumstances answer best. Watering afterwards, if dry 

 weather continues, of course will be beneficial. Otherwise plant your vines and slips just 

 before or after a rain. Two feet apart in rows is considered a good distance. The ridges 

 should never be disturbed by a plow from the time they are made until the potatoes are ready 

 to be dug. Scrape off the grass and young weeds with the hoe, and pull up the large ones 

 by hand. Crab grass is peculiarly inimical to the sweet potato, and should be carefully kept 

 out of the patch. The vines should never be allowed to take root between the rows. Sweet 

 Potatoes should be dug before a heavy frost occurs; a very light one will do no harm. The 

 earth should be dry enough to keep it from sticking to the potatoes. The old fashioned 

 potato bank is the best arrangement for keeping them, the main points being a dry place 

 and ventilation. Varieties generally cultivated in the South: 



The Yam. Taking into consideration qual- 

 ity and productiveness, the Yam stands at 

 the head of the list. Frequently when baked 

 the saccharine matter in the shape of candy 

 will be seen hanging to them in strings. Skin 

 and flesh yellow and very sweet. Without 

 doubt the best potato for family use. 



Southern Queen. Very similar to the 

 former but smoother, the tubers having no 

 veins, or very few; it is earlier, oval in shape. 



Shanghai or California Yam. This is the 

 earliest variety we have, frequently, under 

 favorable circumstances, giving good sized 

 tubers two months after planting the vine. 

 Very productive, having given 300 bushels 

 per acre when planted early and on rich land. 

 Is almost the only kind cultivated for the 

 New Orleans market. Skin dull white or 

 yellow, flesh white, dry and mealy, in large 

 specimens frequently stringy. 



The Largest Seed House in the South. 



