The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-05-17
4arieMltMral.
cnIsure of the sweet Potato.

There is probably no vegeiable that is
coming into general cultivation more rapid
" than the sweet potatol nor is there any
vegetable. 70 my knowledgr, that is 50 fre
queully mis- cultivated Aud more, d.
not believe there is farm 10 Ohio. OF fif
y sores, tba' produces good corn, that can
not be made 10 pro iuct good sweet pota-
toes. by following the directions given 10
this ar 'icle.
Soil prefer ANDY, or light loam'
but this is not saying that noue Othsr will
do. ANY soil that can be mad, dry and
meliow, will do. being careful not to en-
rieh too highIy. Beginners generally plant
small patch in the garden, the richest
spot lin animal manure) to be found on
the iarm The result is great crop Of
zines, hut NJ potatoes.
AdRHres The best Of manures is de-
Uayed vegetable matter: therefore, land
newly el AIRED, if suitable 10 other respects,
will always give good return. II animal
manure is used al all. it should b. well
rottsd. have obtained good rrops for
years in succession on strep hill side,
having an eastern. southern and W stern
aspect--land ST. poor hat it will not pro.
duce good crop Of corn. | have used
no manure, except Ieached ashes. and on
some portions not even thai. The crop
rather improves than GeIeriorates the quail
ity Of land.
Preparation Of So;l--At the e. st favor.
able opportunity in spring, the land should
be plowed deep, and sub soilcd. If posi-
BILE. When the plants are ready for set
ting. which should be by the first Of May.
the ground should be thoroughly harrow.
ed. If the lard is mellow, the ncxt move
ment is one Of the most important in con
nection with raising q crop. l refer 10
forming the hills The great errors is to
make hills or ridges so broad. and to use
such a vast amount Of earth, that the lis
become heavy, so heavy thar nothing but
vines can grow. My method is as fol,
lows: Beginning at the bottom Of the hill p,
with two horses aud large plow, lift "A
furrow slice; let the team pass back with.
out work, the near horse in f,Irrow. again.
having the plow set heavily 10 land, "cul
and cover" that is lift a furrow and place
il on the width OF furrow In this man
ner the ridges ale made narrow and high.
and with proper aIter-culturo, will pro.
duce something besides vines. After form.
ing al the ridges, with one horse and a
large shovel plow. cross furrow two and
half feet thus get my hills two and
hal by two an! half let, giving al
most seven thousand per acre. II the so,|
has been we'll pulverizcd, the hills will
nesd but very little hoe or hand labor
Setting Pt0nts.--The proper time is
when the danger Of fross is past. III
Southern Ohio, this is sometimes after the
Goth Of April, but generally not until the
10th TO 10Th Of May. The philosophy ol
transplantlug is not generally well under
stood. For instance, after heavy rain,
scores Of people will come to me for plants,
and they will have their way; "For IL is
such good time to set plants re- Mr..
Editor, the sLillfulcultivalor knows better.
He takes any time when the ground is in
good working condition, choosing the af
ter part Of the day, or sometimes the morn
ing. Instance note from my Journa
June 10, 1858: "Finished setting 23,O7(
sweet potato plants---tho mornings hav'
been foggy the whole time. and have SO
agreat many more plants mornings thai
evenings" He never sets plants withou
pouring water into tho hole made by lh
hand to receive the plant. One boy viii
pour water for three hands 10 set. Hold
ing the plan. with the left hand, let wate
enough be poured on TO float the roollsts
and instantly draw in the mellow cart
without the leas, pressure, II we'll Zone
you will not loose one plant in hundred
! Set all kinds Of plants by this method
always with 6 od success, aud move
omitted the wafer without regrettlng il
TO remedy lhs effect Of cut.worms, Sc
the plants deeply. leaving only the hcar
or runner, with all the leaves above ground
remembering to keep the plant as bigI
up on the hill rs possible The prope
form Of the hill is about eighteen inchc
in diameter at the bottom. and as high a
it can be piled Oh the base. have lric,
padding tho roots, but since it leave
them all in rope discard it. BY lhi
method describe, the roots arc noale,
into their natural position by the water
and at The same time the minute particle
Of earth are carried amongst the rools,-
Never water the plants again, No waite
being on the surface, no crus, forms TO in
jure the growth Of plants = 0hioFdrmcr
From the Ohio Farmer.