Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-07-20

| SOIL about the plants all at one opera
ton. A notched stick is sometimes
used in planting. The plants are
dropped where they are to be set, the
stick is placed on the plant Mt the base
of the root, and the plant forced into
the ground to the depth desired. The
soil is then firmed with the foot.
The distance for setting plants de-
ponds on the variety grown. The
usual distance Is IA to IL inches apart
In rows 31s to feet apart. Large
growing varieties should be planted
In rows four to six feet apart.
Cultivation.
Sweet potatoes should be cultivated
soon after the plants are set, to loosen
the soil that was cOmpacted during
planting. Civilizations should be given
after each rain, to break the crust and
keep a surface mulch. The latter cul-
tfvatfOns should also work the soil to-
ward the row to maintain the ridge.
Hand hOeings are necessary to loosen
the soil between the plants and to
keep down weeds. When the vines be-
gin to interfere with cultivation they
may be turned into alternate rows by
means Of stick, and after the soil has
been cultivated the vines are turned
back and allowed to grow undisturbed.
Large weeds that appear after the last
cultivation may be pulled by hand.
Harvesting.
Early sweet potatoes may be har-
vested as soon as the roots are large
enough for market. Late sweet pota-
toes should be harvested just before
frost is expected or as soon as pos
sible after frost has killed the vines.
When frost has killed the vines and
1t is not possible to dig the potatoes
at once, the vines should be cut from
the plants to prevent decay from in
juring the roots.
Digging.
A spading fork may be used for dig
ging small patches of potatoes, but for
larger areas pillow or regular potato
digger should be used. Potatoes should
be harvested with as little bruising as
possible. for bruised potatoes do not
keep well. The implement used for
digging should be one that will not cut
or bruise the potatoes. An ordinary
pillow, fitted with a rolling Golfer to cut
the vines. may be used for digging pO-
tatOes, hut much more satisfactory
implement is a digger made for this
particular purpose. A good type of
digger is one that is equipped with
iron rods in place of moldbOard to
separate the potatoes from the earth
and vines. The digger should also be
fitted with rolling Golfers to cut the
vines
After blowing out, the potatoes may
be scratched out by hand and left ex-
posed long enough for the dirt to dry.
They should not be left exposed to the
hot sun for any long period Of time or
left in the field overnight. Digging
should be done when the soil is dry
and the weather clear.
Gathering.
Sweet potatoes should be gathered
in padded harvesting baskets or
crates. and every care should be used
to avoid bruising them. Never handle
potatoes in sacks, for the shifting
causes severe bruising. A good spring
wagon should be provided for hauling
the potatoes to the storage house or
to market to avoid excessive bruising.
1t is also a good plan to gather only
the marketable roots at first, then
later to go over the rows and pick up
the culls. The strings. or very small
potatoes. may be left in the field for
hog feed. The various lots Of pOta-
toes should be stored separately, for
this will save much time and loss
when removing them for market.