Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-03-12
Agricultural.
From The Albany Cultirator.
Tho CuIsure Of the Sweet Potato.

viouS 10 The IRISH potato, and was IN those
days supposed TO possess the qualities Of
restoring decayed yigor TO the human
frame ); and consequently more frequently
found in the shop of The confectoner, than
in tho Iarder Of the cook. 1t is a native
both of Spain and The Canary Islands, and
was, as an edible, in such bad repute, that
the renowned EvyLin, in bis work. on Gar,
dening, as early as the year 1899, recon-
meuds that potatoes should be planted in
the worst ground. We are glad That we
live in an age and country, where we can
say, plant sweet potatoes in your best
land; though i'll all probability, in the days
of the author above quoted, the promise
of this root was such that it held forth DO
inducem ments 10 the cullivator; and GER
tainly time has shown hat England's eli
mate and soil, has proved unconsenial TO
its improvement. There are many, even
in our southern country, at This day, who
lake his advice and neglect this crop, from
the sole fact perhaps, that they themselves
are not fond Of potatoes, not consulting The
tastes Of. Voraciousi hogs and COWS, who,
squealins and lowing for corn and hay,
would be happily regaled with satisrac-
tory meal from the poIa'o pile.
In the south, we regard the successful
cultivation Of The sweet polatoe as an easy
attainment. II delights in sandy, rather
light, deep, aud well stirred soil, which
must be located on a dry subsoil, though
in some instances we have seen good po-
tatoes raised on clay lands. A moist at
mosphere, the temperature Of which is
warm, appears most conducive 10 The early
growth and pleasant flavor Of the sweet
potatoe.
From its great use in culinary concerns,
it deserves more attention at the hands Of
our southern planters than il has as vel re-
ceived. The climate south of 36 degrees,
has been found admirably adapted to lis
growth: and no crop can be planted which
will yield moEe 70, the acre. The fine ef.
feet which they give when fed to milch
cows, should make it iavorite with all
who delight in good milk and butter
When dried in brick oven, they furnish
the materials Tor making a delightful and
wholesome beverage in The shape Of pola
TO beer. The sweet potato also furnishes
large amount Of The vegetable food of
slaves 10 Tie southern States during The
winter months, aud although they are gen.
orally cultivated as provision crop by
most planters Oh almost overy plantation,
the negroes cultivate them in the ground
which is allotted to them for their own pri-
vate use. Such is the pariality of The
plantation negroes for potatoes, as an ar
tcle of food, tina! as soon as the season
for digging arrives, they prefer au allow
ance oil this root to any Of the cereal grains.
Indeed, it seems they were reished by our
revolutionary ancestry, for when an en-
bassy was sent by the British commander
at Charleston, 10 Gen. NJ aron in his swamp
encampmenl, lba: chivalrous commander,
with his characteristic hospitality, invited
the Royalist TO dine with him (; the table
was arranged, when he found flesh, fish,
aud FOWL" 10 consist of sweet potatoes
alone. lie s,raIgh,way returned to the
British quarters, aud expressed his opinion
that il was hopeless 10 expect to conQuer
men who could fight for liberty on such
fare as roasted potatoes. Mr.. john b.
White, a talented and gifted son Of Caro-
lima, has made this scene The subject OF u
national painting which stands high in the
world Of ART. In this picture, the negro
seems delighted, more hestyle in which
his potatoes were roasted, than at The
amazed countenance Of the tory officer.
TO The negro, the potato is blessing;
for, to The known improvideuce add care
lessness OF this race, it is particularly ada7-
ted. as il requires no culinary skill to make
i, both edible and palatable, simple roast
ing in the ashes being the bost Prepara-
,ion the cook can give them. it is fire.
queutly prepared for the table by baking,
aud makes good cuslards, puddings and
pies ;lhe latter equalng rhubarb pics, and
made much in the same manner.
If The soil has been exhausted by pre-
vious culture, The land should be manured.
My father, MIR. john Summer, who has
| always been successful in the culture OF
potatues, observes the rule to manure
broadcast, and lor this purpose, has pre-
pared i'll the farm yard compost, made
| by hauling in oak leaves, which with the
admxture Of the manure of horses aud
cattle, furnishes the proper material, and
this, when sufficiently rotsed, is spread
broadcast over the surface OF the soil. The
general plan, however, in the south, aud
that which is considered easiest, is to cov
pen the ground intended for potatoes, late
in the summer. When the latter plan is
followed, it should be continued during the
early part of the winter, aud followed with
frequent plouShings, so that the manure
deposited may not evaporale, or be washed
away by lhe rains. Plough up the land
very deep in January, to which we would
recommend subsoiling to those who have
the proper implement. Plough again in
February, and in March repeat with like
ploughing, Immediately after which, bed
up the land with suitable plough four
feet wide; upon these beds drop the pota-
10 slips, six or seven inches apart, cover
ing them with hoe, one and a half inches
deep, with good mellow soil.
ii should be remembered lhat.the pro-
per preparation of the soil, is Of very great
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