The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-05-11
Aa7ICUL
CULTURE OF THE SWEET POTATO

CULTURE OF THE SWEET FOiAAo-
There is no other vegetable. If We except
the Irish Potato, which deserve more gene
raj cultivation aud which better pays Tor the
labor it requires. than the Sweet Potato. and
vet how many farmers almost entirely neglect
4. II i. true that certain kinds Of soils will
not produce enough Of this delicious vegeta-
BILE to justify its cultivation. but there are
hardly any farms where = spot cannot be
found that VIII yield an ordinary crop. tire
auires but little more labor for its cultivation
than the Irish Potsto, and 10 certainly much
more delicious, and il worth double as much
N market Let rs take m example Last
year we planted small patch Of about IL
souare rods, on which was set some 800
plants. These cost 81 90. The blowing
narrowing and ridging up might all have been
done in Aalf day which would be worth
81 90 more. The setting out. and after cui-
lure could not have been worth more than
81 90 The digging would be worth 75ets,
making in all only % rs. There were At
,east IL bushels Of potatoes worth at the
lowest rate as many dollars. Suppose the
cost Of cultivation was o5 90 which is GER
tainly high enough, and We have crop worth
at least three times the cost of its cultivation
The kind of soil best adapted to the growth
of the sweet potato is . yellow sandy or
2ravelly loan. though our common clay if not
too wet and tenacious, will answer nearly As
well-a black loan should be avoided a. the
crop runs to vines If not already deep and
rich it should be made SO by deep blowing
and manuring with well rotted stable manure.
Il may be too rich but this is not common
One blowing and narrowing. if the ground IS
in GOOD condition, will answer. Then with
two horses and . large pillow throw 1t into
ridges about three and half feet from cen
re to centre good dexterous hand with
steady team. will, with but two burrows to the
ridge. leave but little for the hoe to do pre-
vious to setting the plants. Leave the ridges
a little rough. they are mono the worse OF H.
and it saves labor. Don't get long legged
plants, but short spreading ones with good
roots. Set them from Is to 18 inches apart
Il is best to set them just before shower
but if this is not likely to come. proceed IN
this way make hole in the ridge with the
hand into which place the planttaking care to
put the ibrous roots As deep into the ridge As
YOU can. Fill up with mellow earth and pour
ON near pint Of water. after this settles
away, sprinkle on = little more fine dirt to
keep the ground from baking. II the wealth
er is very dry and hot they should be shaded
with dock or other green leaves. and watered
each morning and evening for day or two
Keen them clean with the hoe and pillow; little
billing up is. necessary. if the ridges have
been properly made. 1t will be seen that we
plant in ridges. not hills. They are much the
easiest made, will admit Of more plants to a
given amount Of ground. and arc easier ten
ded. Moles can be caught by traps. or other
wise as well between ridges as hills. The
Sweet Potato will stand drouth better than
any other crop.