The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-04-08
cuLT1vArIoN Or THE SWEET Potato.

Warren County, o., profess to be expert
enced in growing sweet potatoes, and they
say that a crop will grow and yield well in
any ordinary dry soil, provided it is we'll
pulverized with plow and harrow; and
whether the ground is old or new, light
coat Of wel-rotted manure is preferable. If
the soil bevery strong, the vines will be
large, but the yield of tubers Indifferent.
After the ground has been got in good con-
dition, it should then be thrown into ridges
four or five feet apart with a plow, by
throwing two heavy burrows together. 1t
is not necessary for tho ridges to be wide,
but they must be of good height, as the po-
tatoes will only grow in length as they are
accommodated with loose earth; so if the
ridges are flat the potato will be short and
and clumpy. Those wishing to raise but
small quantity, will probably find it more
convenient TO make their ground into hills
with the hoe, about five feet apart. In set
ting the plant care should be taken to have
them set we'll in the ridge, fully rs deep as
they originally stood in the hot bed, and
the soil should be well compressed about
the roots. The only cultivation necessary
is to keep tie ground clear of weeds, and
tops of the hill or ridges with hoe or rake
Tue best method of sprouting sweet pota-
toes is in the ordinary manner of a manure
hot bed. This is made by building up the
sides with plank and filling in to the depth
of fourteen inches with fresh hard stable
manure. The manure should be packed as
hard rs possible, then cover over to the
depth of two inches with light soil, then
after laying on tho potatoes, cover them to
the depth of fur inches, with light sandy
soil or loam. BY covering the potatoes
deep the stems are longer and much more
hardy and thrifty. After transplanting,
potatoes may be put in the bed from the
lst to the 25th of April, and plants may be
transplanted any time during the months of
May and June. Sprouts should be set from
twelve TO fifteen inches apart in the ridge
and when in hills two or three to the hill.
UnoJtrusire Distress. Charity is the
most sublime attribute of human nature
it is broad mantle which "covcrcth null
titude Of sins"-an clement which softcns,
refincs and clevates the character Of man.
1t is the greatest of the three cardinal vir-
tues, for it is purely catholic, confined by
no metcs and bounds Of dog'na,ic theology
or arbitrary prejudice--but al-pcrvading, all
embracing in lis influence. 1t is 10 be placed
to the credit side of humanity that Charity is
a principle common to all-tl,at like its
sister, Mercy, it is to bc found in the dark
est and gloomicst places-that it warns
into gcniaIity the stoniest heart, and brings
the gIistening tear to the most frigid eye
that no class or condition Of men is exempt
from its gentle sway. But how often is
charity misdirectcl-how often is i: thought
that ostenta,ious bencvolencc, that giving
freely and openly for general purposes, is
the true exercise Of mercy and generosity
how often does the man, who dare not scru
tinizc his own motives, lay the flattering
JUNCTION TO his soul that the parade of lib
eralty is liberality itself, and that the hun
drcd or thousand dollars given to some pub
lie institution, absolves him from searching
out the abode Of wretchcdncss, which is il
secret, and there, with no eye but the all
searching eye of Him, who combines ii
himself all goodness and all power, to se'
him ministering to want and alleviatins
suffering.