The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-04-15

suggestions for Profitable
Production Of "Sugar"
Gpuds."
Clemson Colisgs. April 19-Thors
are few crops 90 we'll adapted to
South Carolina conditions az the
pwset potato. ThAs crop offers 60 the
growers every advantage for success
ful growth and proft that Is offered
by other neld or truck crops.
Soil selection, preparation, fertiliz-
ins. careful nttinE and planting. and
cultivatinE are tho essentials Of sue
cess in the growing Of sweet potatoes.
says Goo. p. Hoffman. Extension Ser
vice horticultuE1st
SIX to . Srss. diversity Of soil. but 1t
delights IN and thrivss best ON . we'll
drained sandy or clay loan soAl with
. clay suosou. But regardless OF the
apparent ideal physical condition Of
the soil, this crop must be rotated
each year. Sweet potatoes may fol
low corn, cotton. small grain, and
leguminous cover crops. 1t may
easily and effectively be worked into
any well balanced Hhree-year rota-
uon.
Preparation q soII.-Ths sodl ray
bs thoroughly and deeply prepared
by turning twice to depth OF six to
eight inches followed by cross dtsc-
ing. Crooked and irregular roots re-
sult from shallow preparation OF the
soil. Therefore, deep and thorough
preparation is very essential In grow
ing marketable potatoes.
Fertilizers. Both barnyard and
commercial fertilizers are recon-
mended, bit the former must be ju6-
eiously used. Under the present
shortare Of potash, that element q
plant food most needed In excess.
liberal applications Of barnyard man
urs will be very effective both In cup
plementing this shortage. and N cor
rscting tho physical condition q the
very heavy sIayey soils. Ordinarily
both commercial eAd bsrnyard man
ures Are applied In the drill when the
soil Is being fitted for setttnE the
plants. and laAsr a. . slds Arssssr.
For tho average clay seiIe that VIII
produce . bale Of Gotten to the acre.
40 to 600 pounds Of an SIS fsrtiNser
- recommended. Fos the sandy
soils producing . bale Of cotton per
acre. 400 10 900 pounds Of Al s-3S fer
tiliser II recommended.
Fitting the Sell and Ssttins the
Piants.-Prsparatory TO setting tAs
plants. which should be from May 1st
to July 18th. lay or rows TO : IL
feet apart and apply Ne berayarA
manure $40 tons per ssss) o. eoea-
meretsl fertilixer made ot twothar1s
1e pe1 cent acid and eue-third cotton
seed meal applied IA the drih. and
thoroughly mix with tho soil. Plant
Ing beds Of medium hsiSAt, depend
Ing upon drainage, should bs thrown
up and dragged down, anA <hs plants
o. vtnscuttinss set II - 1S inches
apart. To correct the packed condi-
tion Of the soN brought shout through
the transplaasinE process. the water
burrows should 30 narrowed or other.
wise cultivated imm edtately follow
ing the setting st the plants.
For late piantings. the oae-leaf. .
to 10 i.ch vine outings are more de-
slrable thaa are tho slips or draws"
especially for tho growing OF seed
stock.
varistIes.--Nancy HaN. Porto Rioo.
and Triumph are the Asading and
most popular varieties grown In this
state. Triumph - one Of the earliest
varieties. and should BE- planted
when potatoes are srown for early
market.
cuItIvatIsn.-Frequent shallow eul.
hvatioa should be praetiesd until the
vines have covered the sround. dur
ing which period the greatest care
must be used IN tuning the vtAes.
At the hrst cultivation. which con-
sists OF careful hosing and siding
with broad furros, . side dressing
Of one-third cotton seed meal and
two-thirds 16 per cent acid phosphate
should be applied. 400 70 500 pounds
per acre. and thoroughly mixed With
the soil. Tho orangskurs sweep or
heel bow and shovel is very sffec-
tive in cultivating this CROP.
A Good Example o. Profits.
Tho following record OF expsndi.
lures and returns on four scres Of
sweet potatoes grown In 1918 was fur
nishsd by q farmer In Williamsburg
county:
Expenditures.
Rental value Of land ......e 5000
Turning and narrowing 80. $500
Bedding and applying fertil-
iSor lou
1900 lbs. c. 8. M. and 1900 bs.
$50 ..................... SAIL
800 lbs. nitrate Of soda go. 1900
10000 plants .............. 10000
Setting plants ............. 800
HOelnR .............. S.SV
Flowing and txrning ....... 1fee
Harvesting and hauling
(+eanu) .................. 100