ON FARM GARDENING. 1 15 
ties; though, on the other hand, it is quite unable to with- 
stand continued cold, wet weather. Its territorial range may 
be said to include nearly the whole of the United States, 
where the soil is suited to its growth, and it is even cultivated 
in Canada. It will in all probability increase in favor as it 
is better known and the manner of preserving or storing it is 
better understood. 
Fertilizers. — There is wide diversity of practice in the 
matter of enriching the land for sweet potatoes, and most 
of the standard manures are used, either in one place or 
another. There seems to be an almost universal endorsement 
of well-rotted stable manure, and next in favor is wood ashes. 
High-grade fertilizer of any kind, thoroughly incorporated 
with the soil, may be used. 
Young Plants — Sweet potatoes are propagated by 
sprouts obtained by laying tubers on their sides, not touch- 
ing each other, covered with soil, in specially prepared 
heated beds. These sprouts produce abundant rootlets while 
still attached to the parent tuber, and by pulling them with 
care, great numbers of young plants can be obtained. A 
second and even a third crop of young plants may be pulled 
from the same tubers. In the South no artificial heat is 
needed. 
Growing the Slips or Sprouts as Practised in New 
Jersey. — The fire-bed, so-called, is quite generally used in 
Southern New Jersey for obtaining slips or sprouts for 
spring planting. It is necessary to have bottom heat and a 
uniform temperature of about 70 . 
The fire-bed consists essentially of a pit about 15 by 50 
feet in size. It is floored with boards laid upon cross pieces. 
Beneath the boards there is an air chamber. On top of the 
Sweet Potato. —We recommend and endorse the Hardy Bush or 
Vineless Sweet Potato. For description, see Johnson & Stokes' Garden 
and Farm Manual." 
