The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-09-10
SWEET POTATO CULTURE
BY c. Z, oooDEN, C. z.
Gin Florida Grower.)

The ideal sotl for this crop should
be one so light az to offer no great
resistance to the enlargement Of the
tubers, so supplied with organic mat
ter as to be rather moist without being
wei, and 30 rich as to furnish an IN
failing suprr- Of fertilizing ingredients
A rich, sandy loan. abundantly sup
Piled with organic matter and natural
| ly well drained is preferable. Stine1
soils may be rendered suitable for the
potato by drainage and by the incor-
poration Of farm manures; or, better
! by blowing under green crops. Very
heavy clay should be avoiaed II the
farm contains any lighter soil. Re-
Gently cleared ground suits the potato
Sandy soils, II not too subject to
drought, may be fitted for this product
by the addition OF organic matter. II
Is q well known fact that potatoes
grown on sandy land are Of better
quality than those grown on sitter
soil. Though the potato requires a
rich soil, even more important than
natural fertility, is a proper mechani-
cal condition of the soil.
Proper conditions Of the soil mean
larger production. With such condi-
ton from $50 to 500 bushels can be
produced per acre. The success Of the
potato commercially is largely depend
rotation. BY taking time to well pre-
pare the land with cowpeas, or other
leguminous plants Just preceding po-
tatoes, its stubble furnishes organic
matter and adds to the store Of avail
able nitrogen in the soil. Corn after
sod frequently precedes potatoes, and
this is generally regarded as the best
rotation.
One year, or, at most, two years. is
as long as a field should be devoted
to continuous potato culture.
Detailed directions are the prepare
ton of one class Of soils would not
apply to others, hence ii can only be
said that preparation should be deep
and thorough, and that unnecessary
compacting OF the soil should be
avoided. Flowing can scarcely be too
deep, provided that much of the sub
soil is not brought to the surface.
Though the tubers are usually formed
within inches of the surface of the
ground, the roots feed deeper. Expe-
rinece shows the depth of the roots
from IL to "a inches.
Varieties.
The following are among the most
widely grown varieties; Improved
Rose No. 4. Red Bliss Triumph, Early
Rose, Early Ohio, Beauty Of Hebron.
These are early varieties. Medium and
late varieties are, Burbank, Rural New
Yorker No. 2, Empire State, White
Star and Dakota Red.
These are standard varieties, and
give general satisfaction.
General Directions.
The rows should be laid of as close
together as practicable without inter
fering with horse cultivation. Gener-
ally the seed pieces should be dropped
in burrows made in the level field. and
not on ridges. However, low ridges
are advantageous for an early crop and
on poorly drained land. In covering
the seed piece, whether they are placed
flat or on ridges, it is well to leave a
small, sharp ridge marking the line
Of the row. In some localities, how
ever, where excessive moisture lis not
feared the opening burrows are only
partially filed after planting, leaving
a depression along the row to be filled
by the use of the smoothing harrow
or other implement. In planting late
in the season this course is sometimes
advisable.
The pieces may be dropped by hand
in the open furrow, or a potato planter
nay be used, dropping and covering
the seed pieces at one operation. The
planter saves a considerable amount
of labor, and enables the potato grow
er to take full advantage of even a
brief period of favorable weather at
planting time, regardless of scarcity
of labor.
Time of Planting.
Each community is the best Judge Of
the proper time for planting. This ap-
plies to south and north Florida.
Where potatoes are grown for the
early market the aim is to plant as
early as possible, without subjecting
the young plants to severe cold. The
crop should be planted at such a date
as to bring the stage of growth dur
ing which the tubers are rapidly de-
veloping at time when there is ordi-
narily an adequate supply of moisture.
In the central and northern portion
of the state should advise planting
not earlier than December and jan
uary. This will bring the crop to ma
turity in March and April. In the
southern portion It Is possible to plant
as early as September and each sue
ceeding month.
Depth of Planting.
The roots of a young potato plant
grow, not directly from the seed piece,
but from the underground joints or
nodes of the stem. From these under
ground nodes also grow the short
stems which bear the tubers at their
extremities. Hence the seed pieces
should be placed deep enough In the
soil to permit several Of these joints
to form below the surface, so as to
afford room for an ample supply of
roots and tuber- bearing stems to
grow.
From the many experiments made
to ascertain the best depth for plant
ing, Nthe results favor not less than 4