The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-15

that the vines will act as a mulch as lit
tie as possible.
The ground is plowed and narrowed as
for other potatoes. The plot is then mark
ed out with q three-runner sled length
wise and then crosswise at right angles, the
runners being set 30 inches apart, thus
making the crossings 30x30 inches. We now
take one-horse plow and strike or open a
furrow about inches deep one way across
the plot. At the crossings we put about
four quarts of rather coarse stable manure
THAT made from corn-stalks cut with fod-
der cutter and placed under the horses for
bedding, is the very best) in the furrow
and with a potato fork hill up until the
top of the hill is or 10 inches above the
level of the ground. The plot is now ready
for receiving the sprouts. Sometimes it is
desirable to plant in rows Then we mark
with the sled, as previously described, one
way only, running the pillow through each
line, and filling the furrow with manure,
which is covered with the pillow by throw
ing furrow on top from each side.
For producing the sprouts, we select a
place on the south side of q building or
tight board fence. and open q pit. 1For
sprouting barrel of potatoes it should be
IA inches deep, 6 feet wide and feet long
A frame for three sash, 3x6 feet, is fitted
on the excavation as for other hotbeds.
About April 16, the pit is filled with hot
manure that has previously been we'll
worked over and well wet, so that no fire.
fangipg will take place. After the manure
has been placed in the pit it must be
tramped down solid and smooth. Nov
sift on sand to the depth of inch and rub
it down SUI 9th and level. Put on the
sash and let the bed warm up a little. One
davis bright sun is generally sufficient.
7 potsioe to Re sprouted should be
of medium size. Split them through
leDgthwise. laying the lat sides on the
sand, pressing them down firm y. They
should De as close together as they will lie
without touching each other Then sift on
sand, just enough to keep them in
place, scarcely covering them. Then place
on the sash and let them remain In that
condition until they have begun to sprout
freely. A chalk line should be drawn
around the inside Of the frame, ~ inches
above the tops of the potatoes, and the bed
should be filled up to the line with sifted
sand. Give no water until the sprouts be-
gin to push through this, the last covering.
and then sparingly. Twelve quarts of
warm water will be sufficient for the first
watering. Care must be taken, for if the
bed is made too wet the potatoes are sure
to rot. The sash should be covered at
night, and q uniform temperature should
be kept Of say, 500 or 800 as nearly as pos
sible. II the bed is started aud man
sged in this wsy there will be good,
strong plants by the first OF June, aud
to begin setting the sprouts. When
they are to be taken from the bed, wet the
sand well with water from a watering pot;
place the fingers of one hand on top of the
pc tato to hold 1t in place while the sprouts
are pulled off with the other. # they are
planted in hills we set one sprout in the
top OF each bill, putting in the plant down
to about the first leaf, pressing the earth
firmly about the roots. II the sprouts are
planted in rows set them In the top of the
ridge 10 inches apart. Before the sprouts
are set the roots should be puddled in clay
about the consistency of cream. IL care is
taken in setting the sprouts and the cut
worm does not trouble them, the loss OF the
sprouts set out will not average over per
cent.
The after cultivation is similar to that of
other kinds of potatoes, with the excep-
ton that the sweets must be kept well hill
ed up or the vines will mulch the ground
and retain too much moisture, thus max
ing the potatoes soggy when cooked.
Sweet potatoes should be dug with po.
tato fork, especially those to be kept for
winter use. When dug, put them in dry
place, and let them remain there until they
have done sweating; then place them care.
fully in barrels, scattering a little air.
slaked lime over them as they are placed
in the barrels. Remove the barrels to
dry, warm room in the house. A room
over the kitchen, through the floor of
which the stove-pipe runs up, l have found
to be one of the very best places in which
to keep sweet potatoes. l have kept them
in this manner until the following April,
with loss of less than a quart to barrel.
If they are left in the ground until the
frost has struck the vines, the latter should
be cut of at once, as the frosted vines are
likely to cause rot in the potatoes.