Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-05-12
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THE NANSEMOND

4 -
Is the only variety of Sweet Potato
worthy of general culture in the
Middle States. 1t produces more.
bushels per acre than the common
Potato. on moderately fertile land;
does well in almost all kinds Of
soil, and is ftfor the table, in this,
latitude, from the 10th to the
S0th Of August. 20
SOIL
Select rolling or well drained land.
Its an error to suppose, as many do,
that sandy or gravelly soils only viii
do. ANY soil that can be made and
kept mellow from May to September,
will do. Nev land is first rate. 1t is
common error to select land too rich
such as old garden plots. Such loca-
tions produce too much vine. Side
hills too poor for a good crop will
often prove the best of locations
Such side hills, however, almost in
variably need.
MANURE.
It should be well rotted, and may
be applied in hill or broadcast. On
heavy lands use anything that will
loosen the soil, such as ashes and
leaf mold.
HILLS OR RIDGESp
On very light soils ridges will do.
On losmy or clayey soils make hills
by all means. ! prefer them in all
cases: /. You are more certain of a
crop. 2. The potatoes ripen earlier.
8. More bushels of large tubers can
be obtained; and, 4. Early in the
season, the large potatoes can easily
be found by the bursting of the hills.
and grabbed without injury to the
crop.
The first idea that presents itself
to many who attempt Sweet Potato
raising. is great ridge. In fact the
first attempts of the mass of cnltiva-
tors of this much-neglected esculent,
are Of such nature as to bring the
least possible return. / have Of
ten seen ridges five and six feet
from center to center. / plant acres,
and the tips of hills only measure
24 #. each way, and tend with horse.
Ihis makes hills the proper size
They should in no case ezceed #; and
2A is better. Make the hills as high
as possible; dry weather never hurts
Sweet Potatoes. The very height of
earth in large hills and ridges
prevents the growth of potatoes, and
accelerates that of the vines.
PLANTING.
About this the 18th of May, when
danger of frost is over. we begin
setting out plants, and continue
until July. Put one plant per hill.
and Is inches apart in ridges. Set
deep enough to have two or three
leaf buds below the surface, if cut
down by worms they will grow anew
Never set when the ground is too
wet to work-put the plants in the
cellar with earth on the roots and |
wait. Choose a cloudy day, or
afternoon after 4 o'clock: or early in !
the morning-especially foggy ones
ET Do not acdit for rain. 1t is a
common error to set plants in a
muddy time. 1 plant very fast
thus: One to drop plants-one to
pour water-neuer omit the t0ater-and |
two or three to set. Make hole |
large enough to hold the roots, insert
the plant at the same time the water
is being poured, fill the hole qnickly |
with mellow earth without pressing.
Do not use so much water as tn |
have it run over the top of the hole;
finish off with dry earth. Never
water again; it is worse than useless.
The philosophy Of setting thus is;
the water performs the triple pur-
pose of floating the ibres into a
horizontal position-carrying the
fine earth among them, and putting
the water in the only place needed.
AFTER CULTURE.
After every rain as soon as the
land is dry enough to work, break
the crust in close contact with the
plants. / do this rapidly with both
hards-clasping, raising, and press
ing tie earth on tips Of the bills. A
smart boy can thus shoe" 1000
plants per hour. It answers all the
purposes of a regular hoeing while
the plants are young-breaking up
ant holes, and giving life to the plant
Keep the surface clear of weeds.
Be careful not to hoe too deep
The best potatoes lie Immediately
below the surface. Never cut off
vines. II they root at joints lift
them on sunny days. Dig before
frost and put in warm, dry place to
keep.
If the above directions are fol-
lowed, Sweet Potatoes can be raised
with profit on any farm. in Ohio.
W. W. RATHBONE.
Clifton Garden and Nursery, Mariet-
a.