CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
449 
days after all the potatoes have been housed. This is 
known as the “sweating” stage, after which the temper- 
ature is gradually lowered and maintained between 55 
and 60 degrees. 
638. Returns. — In the large commercial districts it is 
estimated (Farmers’ Bulletin 999) that the acre-cost of 
production in the eastern section is about as follows: 
Rental of land, $8; plowing and fitting, $5; fertilizers, 
$15: 10,000 plants, $10 ; planting, $1.25; cultivating, $3; 
picking up potatoes, $15: 100 barrels, $25: total, $82.25. 
Average yield, one barrel to 100 hills or 100 barrels an 
PIG. 105. HARVESTING THYME 
acre. Prices range from $1.25 to $3 a barrel (sometimes 
more) and $75 is about the average profit to the acre, 
although $100 to $150 is often realized. 
639. Insects. — The sweet potato has fewer insect ene- 
mies than many other vegetables. Cutworms are trouble- 
some sometimes, especially in sod lands. The sweet po- 
tato weevil, destructive to the roots of the plants, causes 
the greatest damage to the crop in the Gulf Coast States. 
640. Diseases. — There are several diseases that cause 
more or less trouble in the field or when the roots 
