The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-04-27

Profitable


growers every advantage foG success
ful growth and prcat that is offered
bv other field or tuck crops.
Soil selection preparation, ferti.S2'
ing. careful fitting and planting. AID
cultivating are the essentials OF sue
cess IN the growing OF sweet potatoes,
says Geo, P. Hoffman. Extension Ser
vice horticulturist.
Soil.-The sweet potato adapts it.
self to grea diversity Of soil, but 1t
delights in and thrives best on well
drained sandy or clay loan soil with
a clay su5soil. 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
legumilous cover crops. 1t may
easily and effectively be- worked into
anv we'll balanced t!ree-ysar rota-
ton.
Preparation of Soi!.-The soil may
be thoroughly and deeply prepared
bv turning twice to depth OF six to
eight inches followed by cross disc
ing. Crooked and irregular roots re-
suit from shallow preparation OF the
soil. Therefore, deep and thorough
preparation is very essential in grow
ING mark etable potatoes.
Fertilizers. - Both barnyard and
commercial fertilizers are recon-
merded. but the former must be judi
ciouslv used. Under the present
shortage OF potash. that element OF
plant food most needed in excess,
liberal applications Of harnyard man
ure will be very effective both IN sup
rlenenting this shortage. and in cor
recting the physical condition OF the
very heavy slayey soils. Ordinarily
both commercial and barnyard man
ures are applied in the drill when the
soil is being fitted for setting the
plants. and later as side dresser.
For the average clay soils that VIII
produce q bale Of cotton to the acre.
400 to coo pounds Of an S-3-3 fertilizer
is recommended. For the saney
soils producing bale Of cotton per
acre. 400 to COO pounds Of an S-3-6 fer
tilizer is recommended.
Fitting the Soil and Setting the
to setting tbs
rlants. which should be from May lst
to July 18th. lay off rows to 3 IL
feet apart and apply the barnyard
manure (S-1o tons per acre. or COM
nerciaI fertilizer made Of two-thirds
IS per cent acid and one-third cotton
seed meal applied in the drill, ana
thoroughly mix with the soil. Plant-
ing beds of medium height, depend
ing upon drainage. should be thrown
IN and dragged down, and the plants
o- yine-crttings set II to Is inches
apart. To correct the packed eonai-
ton Of the soil brought about through
the transplanting process, the water
burrows should be narrowed or other
wise cultivated Immediately follow
ing the setting Of the plants:
For late paintings. the one-leaf, 8
to 10 inch vine cuttings are more de-
sirable than are the slips or draws y
especially for the growing Of sesd
stock.
varietles.-Nancy Hall, Porto Rico,
and Triumph are the leading ana
most popular varieties grown IN tais
state. Triumph is one OF the earliest
varieties, and should be planted
when potatoes are grown for early
market
cultivstion.-Frequent shallow cul'
avat;on should be pract'ced until the
vines have covered the ground. dur
Ing which period the greatest care
must be used in turning the vines.
At the first cultivation, which con-
sists Of a careful hoeing aad siding
with a broad furros, a side dressing
Of one-third cotton seed meal and
two-thirds 1s per cent acid phosphate
should be applied, 400 to 300 pouhds
Der acre. and thoroughly mixed WITH
the soil. The Orangeburg sweep or
heel bow and shovel Is very enec-
tive In cultivating this crop
A Good Example OF Profits.
The following record of expenol-
lures AMI returns Oh four acres OF
sweet potatoes grown In 1918 was FUR
nished by farmer in Williamsburg
county:
Expenditures.
Rental value CT land ....-S SO 10
Turning and narrowing go. 2o.9o
Bedding and applying feGt!l-
;..~ 7.50
800 lbs. c. S. N. and 1900 -bs.
$40 .............. e-1.'l
300 lbs. nitrate OF soda 12.0o
snnoo ,,ants " 1880
oo++:,c ,,,nte 500
ann