CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
447 
the potato in place with one hand and pull the plant with 
the other. The roots are often puddled before trans- 
planting. This is especially valuable when conditions 
are not very favorable for the work. On small areas 
the plants are often set by hand, by the use of dibbers or 
trowels. In some sections, special tools known as tongs, 
shovels and dibbers are employed. (See Farmers’ Bul- 
letin Q99, pp. 19 and 20, U. S. D. A.) Horse transplant- 
ing machines are often used in setting large areas. 
FIG. IO4. PLOWS FOR HARVESTING SWEET POTATOES 
634. Cultivation should be started as soon as possible 
after planting. The loose soil in the alleys is gradually 
worked toward the rows, forming broad, flat ridges. 
Spike-tooth cultivators are then used as often as neces- 
sary, until vine growth prevents further tillage. Some 
hand hoeing is usually necessary, but this should be 
avoided as much as possible and should be reduced to 
a minimum when the plants are set in check rows. 
