Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-28

Mr.. L. A. Baker, an experienced and
successful cultivator Of the sweet potato,
communicates to the Country Gentleman
the result of his experience as follows
THE SEED BED.
propose TO give my plan of sprouting,
setting and cultivating this delicious escu-
lent, hoping il may be int resting at least
TO some Of your readers.
About the first week in April make my
hot-beds. Selecting a southern exposure,
the beds are constructed by driving stakes
firmly in the ground on both sides Of the
boards that are to form the sides Of the
hot-bed-say four feet wide, and any length
convenient-the beds running east and
west the boards forming the upper side
of the bed to be elevated about four or hive
inches, to allow sufficient inclination for
the roof.
The earth, 10 the depth Of one foot, is
then removed, and fresh horse dung that
has never been wet, is filled in TO the
depth of fourteen inches. The water used
TO wet the manure should be drawn from
pond or running brook, or allowed to stand
in the sun eight or ten hours. A small
quantity of water should be sprinkled over
the manure, after which il should be
thoroughly stirred, mixing the wet and dry
portions together, so that the heat may be
uniform throughout the bed.
la no case should the manure betramped
in the bed with the foot, OF beat down with
the maui. Great care should be exercised
in flling-in and wetting the manure, as too
much or too little moisture will alike be
disastrous. When the manureis sufficient
ly warm, about four inches Of leal-mould is
spread over the manure. Rotten wood and
rich soil from around old stumps and logs
is preferable.
The potatoes are placed one by one as
close as possible, not 10 touch each other, be-
ing settled in the mould by a gentle pres
sure of the hand. Large potatoes are split
in the centre and exposed to the sun until
the milk on the cut part forms a dry crust.
They are then placed in the bed, the cut
side down. When the potatoes are thus
carefully placed, about three or four inches
Of the leaf-mould is carefully II read over
them, care being taken not to displace any
of the potatoes in the operation. The beds
should be examined every day. This may
be done by removing one or two potatoes
and thrusting the hand down through the
small quantity Of water may be applied by
means of wateringpot. The beds should
be kept covered in cold or rainy weather,
only exposing them 10 warm sunshine or
gentle showers
After the potatoes begin 10 sprout, the
beds should be watered every evening with
pond water, or water that has stood IN the
sun all day. bitches should be dug, and
bank Of earth thrown up on the upper side
of the bed, 90 prevent water from running
under and chilling them.
DRAWING THE PLANTS.
This operation should be done by a care
ful hand. The plant Is taken between the
thumb and iorehnger Of the right hand,
while the potato is firmly held in its place
by the left Careless drawing by mex
perienced persons, or those not interested
in the bed, frequently destroys half the
profts Of the bed. never allow g custom
er 10 assist me in drawing or counting,
however mach they may desire 10 do 80, as
would rather give a man a hundred
plants than TO allow him TO draw them at
the usual price
MAKING THE RIDGES
Il performed by means ofthe turning-plow
with a stout, isst-walking span Of horses
always supposing the ground 20 be thorough
ly SUBSIDIZED and narrowed until il is in
fne tilth. I commenced at the foot Of a
hill or lowest part Of the field, running a
deep fnrrow; then drag my pillow back to
The starting point; here | move the temper
min of my pillow so that IL will cut about
half as much as the first Gurrow. l then
urge my horses TO their fastest walk, and
make the second furrow completely over
Ian INV first. This makes my first ridge.
then drag my pillow to the place Of begin
ming. adjust the temper-pin, and make the
off horse walk on the edge Of the land, so
that the cut will not fall into the furrow Of
The last made ridge. The second furrow Is
made In the same way ne in the first ridge,
and 30 on till any desired number Of ridges
are made. A careful plowman, with
GOOD fasl-walking span OF horses, viii make
a. good ridges in this way as can be made
with hoe.
SETTING THE PLANTS
Il generally performed by a man and
how in the following manner: The plants
are dropped AZ intervals Of eighteen inches
ON The ridges; the plant is taken in the left
hand. and . lrowel thurst into the ridge
obliouely. and the soil lifted sufficiently 20
admit the roots Of the plant. IL Is held IN
this way till the boy pours in the iourth 81
. mini az water. The trowel is then with
drawn, and gentle lick is struck on the