The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-06-10
rowingSwed Potatoe,
Suggestions fer Profitable
Production of "Su9ar
SpudS."

Clemson College, -TAsse
ere few crops 70 well adapted TO
South Carolina conditions a. the
sweet potato. This crop offers 70 Ne
growers every advantage for sAossss'
fsl growth and pront that is offered
BY ether FIELD or truck crops.
Soil selection, preparation, fsrtilik
ing. careful fitting and planting, and
cultivating are the essentials Of sue
cess In tho growing Of sweet potatoes,
says Geo. P. Hoffman, Extension Ser.
vice horticulturist.
Soli.-The sweet potato adapts IT.
self to a grsa' diversity Of soil, but It
delights in and thrives best on well
drained sandy or clay loan soil with
. clay subsoil. But regardless OF tho
apparent ideal physical condition OF
the soil. this crop must be rotated
each year. Sweet potatoes may fol
low o?rn. cotton, small grain, and
legum nous cover crops. 1t may
=. sl- AID effectively be worked into
any well balanced three-year rota-
ton
Preparation Of soll.-The sodl may
he thoroughly and dosply prepared
bv turning twice to depth Of six to
eight :nches followed by Cross disc:
ing. Crooked and irregular roofs re-
suit from shallow preparation Of the
soil. Therefore, deep and thorough
preparation il very esIsatial in grow
tag marketable potatoes.
Fertilizer. - Beth barnyard and
commercial fertilizers are reosu-
ssnded, but ths former Hsust b judi
ciously used. Uldsr the present
shortage of Dstash, tAat slAnsat q
plant fsod nsst needed IN seesss,
liberal sDplicatisas Of har,yar4 man
urs will - very elective both = sup
p,smenting his shortage. aAd IN oer-
recting the physical csalition sf me
vsry heavy slaysy ssiis. Ordinarily
both commercial and bs1nyarl uAn.
urss are applied IN the drill wAsa hs
soil is being fitted Tor setting the
plants, and later - side dresser.
FOR the average clay soils that Will
produce . bale ef cotton 70 the as1s'
400 to coo pounds Of IN S-SS feEtiAseT
u recommended. For the sandy
soils producing . bale of cotton pr
acre, 400 to 600 pounds q an S-3S Ter
tiliser is recommended.
Fitting the Soil and Setting tho
Plants.-Preparatory to setting the
plants, which should be from May 1st
to July 18th, lay of rows to 3 II
feet apart and apply the bsrnyard
manure (s-1o tons per acrs) or COM
nsrodal fertiliIer made OF twotMrds
1s per cent acid and one-third cotton
seed meal applied in the drill, and
thoroughly mix with the soil. Plant
ing beds OF medium height, depend
inx upon drainage, should bs thrown
xp and dragged down, and the plants
or vine-cuttinEs set II 10 1s inches
apsrt. To correct the packed oenA-
tion Of the son brought about through
The transplantins process, the water
fursows should bs narrowed Or other
wise cultivated Immediately follow
Ing the setting Of tho plants.
For late paintings, tho ons-leaf, .
20 10 inch vine cuttings are more do
sirable than are the slips Or draws"
especially for the growing OF seed
stock.
varls.les.-Naney Hall, Porto Rico,
and Triumph are the leading and
most popular varieties grown IN this
state. Triumph - one Of the earliest
varieties, and should b planted
when potatoes are grown for early
market.
cuitivatlon.-Frequent shallow osi'
systion should bs practiced until the
vines have covered the ground, our.
Ing which period the greatest care
must be used in turning the vines.
At the first cultivation. which con-
sists OF a careful hosing and siding
with q broad furros, side dressing
OF ons-third cotton seed meal ana
tvo-thirds 16 per cent acid phosphate
should be applied. 400 to 500 pounds
per acre, and thoroughly mixed with
the soil. The 0rangeburg sweep or
heel bow and shovel is very enec'
two in cultivating this crop.
A Good Example Of Profits.
The following record Of sIpendi.
tures and returns on four acres OF
sweet potatoes grown IN 1918 was fuf'
nishsd by farmer IN Williamsburg
county:
Expenditures.
Rental value Of land ......$ So.eo
Turning and narrowing o.ss
n~1St-s s~S oNolvinH ferty-