Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-09-27
lancaster .JntrlIigenrrr.
rvR THE BUsBAsDMAS.
aow swee. Potatoes snouid be Kept.

How sweet Potatoes should be Kept.
Germantown telegraph.
As this matter is now to be considered, |
and az the farmers outside OF sweet potato |
regions find much difficulty in saving the
few that they raise for their own oonsump.
ton, as well also when they wish To put
up enough for winter of other peoples
raising, we have to say that we have seen
a number of methods recommended, aud
have some experience ourselves. Tie
following looks as though it might answer
very well, and 1t is adopted by an expert.
enced Jersey grower, and we think that
there is little risk run in following 1t
The potatoes are dug after the first sharp
frost, aud left to lay rs dug until near
evening, when they arc covered with the
vines. In tho morning the vines are re-
moved aud tho sun goes on with the
drying process This is pursued for four
or five days, when they become thoroughly
dry. They are then carefully carried into
the cellar, where they are put on shelves
in single layers standing on MeIr ends, by
which any rotten ones can be easily seen
and removed, and the air has free clrcula-
tion. Warmth has great deal to do with
preserving the sweet potato hence, II the
cellar is not naturally warm, they should
DO put into a cellar IN which there is a
heater. They bear considerable heat with
out sprouting, but it should not get be
yond fifty nor below forty degrees.
We have also known them to be packed
in boxes, each potato being wrapped up in
paper, and the boxes placed in cellars
where there is no danger Of freezing, rs
this potato is very susceptible of being
nipped, and when once touched they decay
rapidly. Yet the temperature should moi
be warmer than is mentioned above. We
have ourselves tried them packed in paper
aud put in barrels also with fine shavings
aud placed ia cellar well ventilated, but
they would not keep. We have found
residing We may say at the headquarter
of tho sweet potato region-that the sur
est way to obtain good, sound potatoes
was to buy them in the market from Jer
sey growers just as we need them-Say
reck or half bushel at time. But thi
system can be adopted only where tn
conveniences are at hand.
Forktng.Up the Gardea,
Gardeners understand the good effect o
turning up the soil late io the fall has upo
the next year's crops but there are man
others-thoso who have small gardens, an
in this class are many our well to do far
mers-who, by neglecting this work, onl,
raise hall q crop of vegetables, and thes
VI fuaatls anu bhNh tAiNJ
der why their more knowing ueighbOrs d,
so much better. Hence, We cannot tot
often repeat the advice that if they vii
use the garden fork ard turn the soil VI
full fork deep late in November, allowing
it to remain in Jumps all winter exposed I,
the frost, it will have much to do IN put
ing the ground in excellent condition
and tend greatly to add to next years
crops. This is especially the case where
the ground is not so treated at all bu
we would mention that 10 do this once il
two or three years. instead of every year,
as some gardeners dc, will produce equally
good effect. Gardens-aud especially old
ones-should be lined about once in five
years. though but lightly, say at about the
rate of thirty bushels per acre, and lightly
sdlted every other year the rate of from
six TO eight bushels per acre, applying it
evenly TO avoid injury. Keep the salt
from coming in contact with box edging
and all other evergreons, very small trees,
&c. Such course will Tecuperate your
old gardens in q surprising manner.