Macon beacon., 1917-07-06

NAV IOn TlAOElN1 ~
prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF ARriculture)
Sweet potatoes may be grown from
either draws (sllps, plnnts) or vine cut
tings. If extra early potatoes nre de
sired, draws should be used, but 70
later crops vine cuttings are general!
preferred. When vine cuttings are Il
be used draws are set In the field al
early ny possible, and after the plants
begin TO send out runners, cuttings are
made to plant the additional acreage
One acre Of early set plants under
average conditions will furnish enough
cuttings to set six to ten acres.
Plant Beds.
Draws nre produced by sproutinl
medium-Sizcd or small roots In warm
plnnt beds. These beds are usually
heated by using fresh horse manure
or by means of fire carried In nucs
underneath the bed. Wherever steam
or hot water Is used on the farm II
may be economical to heat the beds
from this supply.
In some instances plants are grown
In cold frames covered with glass, the
heat from the sun being the only heat
secured. Plants for n late crop are
often grown In the open without any
heat or protection.
The hotbcdg should be located on II
well-drnlncd southern slope, in place
where they will have protection from
cold winds. If natural shelter does
not exist n windhrcal may be con
str"ucted Of boards, pine boughs, corn
fodder, etc The beds should be To-
Gated near good water supply and as
convenient to the farm buildings ns
possible.
Covers OF Beds.
Plant beds need some form OF COW
ering not only to retain the heat but
20 shed water. The ideal covering Is
glass sash, but where this Is not avail
able canvas or oiled muslin Is used.
Many growers In the South practice
covering the beds with hay or pine
straw, but where early plants are de-
sired this covering is not satisfactory.
Sweet potatoes are usually bedded
in plant beds about six weeks before
they Hrc desired for planting, but If no
source of hcnt Is supplied plants cannot
be secured under seven or eight weeks.
Care of Plant Beds.
In sprouing potatoes layer four
TO five inChcs) of sand or loose soil Is
put in the bed, and the potatoes bcddcd
firmly In this. close together. but not
touching. After the potatoes are
placed layer of two inches Of sand
is spread evenly over them and water
applied until the soil is well damp
encd, When the plants begin to break
through the surface another inch of
sand is spread on the bed The bed
should be watered when dry, thorough
ly moistenlng the soil, but not soaking
II. When the plants appear the bed
should be ventilated whenever the
weather permits, and few days be
fore planting the covers should be left
of entirely to harden the plants
The soil for sweet potatoes should
be thoroughly prepared before plant
ing, for this extra labor In preparation
will be repaid by the ease OF later op-
erations. The depth of powing has
considerable influence on the shape of
the potatoes produced. A deep soil
produces roots that are long and slen-
der, while more shallow soil tends to
produce short, chunky roots which are
more desirable for market. soil OF
medium depth give to six inches) Is
usually best for potatoes. Flowing
should be done when the soil will
break up fine and mellow, and the har-
row should follow Immediately after
the plowlng. II the soil Is very cloddy
IT should be rolled, and the best re-
suits are obtained after light show
er when the clods are moist.
Sweet potatoes are sometimes grown
Ou iIhSNS uuNlt ny NlllbNlllE TWO OT
four burrows together. A planker or
float Is then run over the ridges to
f1atten them down and compact the
soil. Low, fiat ridges are generally
preferred to high ridges. There are
on the market that will mark
the land, distribute the fertilizer, and
form the ridges all at one operation.
Planting.
When the sweet-potato plants have
developed three or four leaves they
are ready for setting IN the field. The
bed should be thoroughly watered be-
fore pulling the plants, and the potato |
should be held In place with one hand |
while the plants are pulled with the .
other.
The plants may he set by hand or |
with transplanting machines. In /
by hand small hole IS made
With the finger or a pointed stick the
)lant inserted in the hole, and the soil
irmly packed around the plant. When
he soil is dry a small quantity of wa
er is poured around the roofs, and
fter the water has soaked in loose
arth IS pulled up around the plant.
machines open the fur