326 Report oF THE ACTING HORTICULTURIST OF. THE — 
A Trial OF SWEET PoTaToEs. 
Tubers of the sweet potato were planted in a hot-bed a the 
sets transplanted on May thirteenth and twentieth. -The ground ~ 
in whichthey were planted lay to the south, and, although contain- 
ing but little sand, is a light soil. Ridges of mellow soil were thrown ~ 
up to the height of from twenty-four to thirty inches, the sets 
planted on the top of the ridges, at a distance of fifteen inches apart, 
and, although the season has not been favorable, they have 
exceeded our expectations, and proved beyond a doubt, that a 
paying crop of this excellent vegetable may be raised in this 
section. The failures in the past seems to have been that the sets 
have been shipped from the south and arrived in a wilted condi- 
tion and planted, whether the conditions were favorable or not. 
Anyone can raise their own sets by making a hot-bed about the 
middle of April, and when the heat has receded to 70° or 
75° F., cover the manure with three or four inches of good garden 
soil. Place the tubers on the soil, setting them down well, then 
cover about one-half inch above the tubers with light soil, leaf 
mulch, decayed hops or wood dirt, wet the bed well and cover 
with sash. No attention need be given, except to air them, until 
the young sprouts appear. They should then be watered as often 
as needed, and should be of good size to set in from fifteen 
to twenty days. By care in pulling the sets there can be three 
crops of them taken from the same seed. They should be planted 
either before or after a shower, given good attention, and especially 
on light soil, they can be grown in paying quantities 
DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES. 
Southern Queen.—A large white variety, early and of good flavor. 
Spanish Red.—Large; dull pink and red; late, medium quality. — . 
Yellow Nansemond.— Long, slim; yellow; season medium ; 



quality good. | 
fied Nansemond.—The same as the foregoing exoatel in color, ~ 
CARROTS. 
Seed First 
i pipe Planted. | yeretation. ser 2g ie: 
Hang Wiltshire 26 Sn 5 cic ode eleanl beaie eae April 18 | May 10 | October 10 — 
Paris POrGg gr. ii corse caes eee age Vill.........; April 18 | May = 9 | October 10 
