SWEET POTATOES 
Jersey Grown Plants are Hardier 
A Money making crop whether grown for home or commercial pur¬ 
poses. We have been raising Sweet Potatoes for over 35 years right here 
in Southern New Jersey and will say without fear of contradiction that 
never, in all these years have we lost money on this crop. Of course, there 
has been a time (about 3 years ago) when the profit was very small, but 
it came right back again and the farmers here are enjoying a good price 
this season on their Sweet Potatoes. Many other crops which we plant 
and care for all through the growing season turn out only to be a complete 
failure when it is time to harvest same. They hardly pay for the cost of 
picking and all other expenses are a total loss. 
During the years we have been raising Sweet Potatoes we have con¬ 
stantly been striving to produce a better potato and are pleased to say 
we feel we have accomplished our purpose. Never before have we had 
such fine stock. 
PLANT CULTURE—Plants should not be set until the soil becomes 
warm and weather mild. We find that the best time to set plants out in the 
field is between May 20th and June 20th, altho they will sometimes do very 
well, even when planted as late as June 30th. This depends entirely on 
whether it is an early or late season. Sweet Potato plants will thrive on 
practically all soils, but we find that they do their best when set in a sandy 
loam. Set plants in hill or on ridges about six inches in height, the rows 
being about three feet apart and plants eighteen inches apart down the 
row. After preparing the ground and marking out the rows put a small 
handful of fertilizer (rich in potash) and well mixed in each hill. Of course, 
a small shovelful of compost or manure will answer the purpose just as 
well. If, while setting the plants the soil is dry, always be sure to put a 
little water in the hole with the plant, this insures it getting a good start. 
For large field planting, we broadcast a mixture of 4-8-10 fertilizer at the 
rate of 1000 pounds per acre, then harrow it in. This is done about 2 weeks 
before setting out plants. Then about 3 weeks after plants have been set 
we top dress at rate of 800 pounds per acre. Make sure leaves are dry and 
there is no wind, as fertilizer will bum leaves if it is allowed to fall on 
them. 
PLANT CARE—Keep ground well worked. Use cultivator and hoe fre¬ 
quently, especially after a heavy rain. Never allow ground to harden or 
cake. Always work ground as soon as it drys off. When cultivating, it is 
well to bank soil toward the plants a little. You can allow vines to root 
on top of ridge after August 1st. 
DIGGING, STORING—Dig in dry weather if possible, allowiing potatoes 
to dry several hours in the field. Put immediately in storage if to be kept 
over winter. Moving afterwards, even from place to place in the same room, 
will sometimes cause them to rot. A dry cellar with a stove or heater, 
where the temperature can be kept about 60 degrees F, and the air dry is 
one of the best places to keep sweet potatoes, although for large quantities 
storehouses are often built above ground. It is usual to leave an air space 
of four inches or more under the bins or boxes in which they are stored. 
3 
