The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-10-01
THE SWEET POTATO.
4 MONEY CROP
OF IMPORTANCE
p. n. Jster, Soil Improvement Com
mIttee.

Entering the field in competitio
with the other more firmly establish
ed money crops, the southern swee
potato is rapidly gaining in popularit
as a field crop of first Importance. On
OF the greatest drawbacks to its SUI
cessful establishment has been that n
adequate means Of curing and STORM
had been advised until the last fe,
years. With the successful operation
Of these potato storage houses. how
ever, the crop can now be markets.
successfully 1t is probably one 0
the most cheaply grown crops Of tn,
South and with proper fertilization
the least fertile lands can be made Il
produce excellent yields. Statistics
show that 1t ID an ordinary accom-
plishment TO grow crop Of from 20t
to 400 bushels per acre on most any
soil Of average fertility with proper
fertilization.
Possibilities As a Money Crop.
AS to the money income from the
crop, II must be said that it com
pares most favorably with cotton. Sta.
tistics show that the average return
from an acre of cotton amounts to
about $70.s7 per acre, while the re.
turns from an acre Of potatoes
amounts to $13419. One grower in
South Carolina reports to the college
that he made a net profit of $l,216.36
on four acres, which is return over
three hundred dollars per acre. This
grower was careful to keep an accu-
rate account of all expenses, including
that of curing, marketing and grad
Ing his crop, and his experience shows
the possibilities of the sweet potato
rs a money crop for the South. In
fact, 1t proves the value Of the crop
beyond all question.
Produces Well on Nearly All Sofia.
The soil and climatic conditions Of
the lower South are very favorable
to its growth and produce a root much
sweeter and richer in nutriment than
the harder and more starchy tuber
Of the more northern states. The po-
tato makes it's best yields in the san.
aier soils. 1t will do well on most
any soil that is well drained, but II
grown on soils that are too fertile,
produces q larger amount OF vine at
the expense Of the potatoes. A light
soil, not too fertile, with firm sub
soil, gives best results. II the sub
soil is too loose, and not compact, .
large proportion Of the roots will be
yrinCy and unfit for market purposes.
Preparation OF the soil Is about as
for cotton. The land is broken, laid
OF, the fertilizers applied In the rows
and this bedded upon. The ridge is
generally allowed to settle firmly be-
lore the slips or vines are planted
Seine leading Varieties
As to varieties, the Nancy Hall
seems to be the prime favorite at this
time. The Porto Rico and Triumph
varieties are also very popular and
rank with the Nancy Hall Is o good
FIELDER and . market favorite. The
gouthern Queen and Yellow Jersey are
Ewo other varieties which have found
|avor with some growers.
Liberal Fertilization Important.
The question Of fertilizers IL. Of
course, related to the kind of soil on
which the crop is grown. On the
whole the crop needs liberal fertiliza.
ion and responds well to this treat
nent. The sweet potato needs Q COM
plete fertilizer and an application OF
Il least from 500 to 1000 pounds per
lcre. Some manure may be applied,
tut 1t should be understood that this
q an unbalanced plant food, that be-
Iause OF its nitrogen content will de-
relop the vine to the detriment Of the
cots IL applied in too large quanti-
les. The same thing is true OF a COM
nercial fertilizer mixture having q
Ugh nitrogen analysis. The crop
reeds potash more than do general
leld crops. since this element seems
o aid in the elaboration Of starch In
he roots. II was found, however, that
hiring the shortage Of potash, due to
he recent war, that sweet potatoes
vculd produce well with less amount
4 potash than had been previously
hought necessary.
For best results the crop must have
good supply Of readily available
'hosphoric acid. A formula contain
M all three Of the necessary ele-
nents Of plant food would be. for the
ossssl plain region. per cent avail
bic phosphoric acid. 8 per cent nitro
en- and 4 per cent potash. For the
'iedmont region. Q good mixture win
ontain per cent available phes-
horic acid, . per cent nitrogen and
per cent potash.
curlne Houses Solves Marketing |
Problem.
Curing and storage houses are nov
Ding up rapidly all over the South.
ome Of these are established on the
Individual farm for the individual
ROD. but many large houses to store
be community crop are also being con-
..a rka our;nO houaa aayaa