The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-04-12
Growing Sweet Potatoes
Suggestions for Profitable
Production of "Sugar'''
Spuds. ~

clemson SCl!SSS, ApIii ~. it~-
are few crops SO we'll adapted Il
South Carolina conditions as tie
sweet potato. This crop offers to t.2
growers every advantage for success.
full growth and profit that is 'cifere@
by other field or truck crops.
Soil selection, preparation, fertiliz.
ing. careful fitting and planting. and
cultivatlng are the essentials OF sue
cess in the growing Of sweet potatoes,
says Geo. P. Hoffman, Extension Ser
vice horticulturist.
coiI.-The sweet potato adapts IT.
self to a grea4 diversity Of soil, but 1t
delights In and thrives best on we'll
drained sandy or clay loan soil with
a clay su3soil 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
ieguminous cover crops. It may
easily and effectively be worked into
any we'll balanced Eree-year rota-
ton.
Preparation Of soiI.-The soil may
be thoroughly and deeply prepared
by 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 marketable potatoes.
Fertilizers. - Both barnyard and
commercial fertilizers are recon-
mended, but the former must be judi
ciouslv used. Under the present
shortage Of potash, that element or
plant food most needed in excess,
liberal applications ofsharnTard man
ure will be very effective both in sup
plementing this shortage. and IT cor
racting the physical condition OF the
yerv heavy s'ayey soils. Ordinarily
bcth commercial aHd barnyard man
ures are applied in the drill when the
sell is being fitted fer setting the
plants. and later as side dresser.
For the acreage clay soils that will
produce a bale OF cotton to the acre
400 to COO pounds of al &-G-3 fertilizer
is recommended. For the sandy
soils producing q bcin Of cotton Per
acre, 400 to GOO pounds CT an S-3-6 Ter
tilizer is recommended.
Fitting the 9o!! and Setting the
Plents.-Prevaratory to setting tAs
rlarts. which should De from Ma. 1St
70 July 18th. lay off rows to 3 II
feet apart and apply the barnyard
manure $40 tons per acrc) or corr
mercial fertilizer made Of two-th1rd5
l6 rer ceat acid and one-third cotton
seed meal applied in the drill. and
thoroughly mix with the soil. Plant
jng beds Of medium height. depend
ing unoa drainage. should be throw.
I'D and dragged down. and the plants
or yire-cuttings SEE IL TO Is inches
apart. To correct the hacked condl-
tion OF the soil brought about through
the rapsplantiRg process, the water
burrows should be narrowed or other
wise cultivated Immediately follow
ing the setting Of the plants.
For late paintings. the one-leaf' 8
to 10 inch vine cuttings are more de-
sirahle than are the slips or draws"
especially for the growing Of seed
stock.
Varietiee.-Nancy Hall, Porto Rico,
and Triumph are the leading ana
most popular varieties grown in this
state. Triumph Is one of the earliest
varieties, and should be planted
when potatoes are grown for early
market
cuItIvation.-Freque shallow cul-
uva4ion should be praouced until the
vines have covered the ground, dur
ing which psfod the greatest care
must be used in turning the vines.
At the first cultivation, which con-
sists Of q careful hoeing aad siding
with . broad furros, SIDE dressing
OF one-thira cotton seed meal and
two-thirds 1s per cent acid phosphate
should be applied. 400 to 500 pounds
per acre, and thoroughly mixed with
tho soil The orangsburg sweep or
heel bow and shovel h very effec-
tive in ouiNvating this crop.
A Good Example Of Profits.
The following record Of expendf
lures and returns On four acres OF
sweet potatoes grown In 1918 was fur
nished by farmer IN Williamsburg
county:
Expenditures.
Rental value Of land ......$ 5000
Turning and narrowing .... $500
Bedding and applying fsrth-
,,.r 7.5o
1900 lbs. c. g. II. and 1900 bs.
40 ......... Sail
800 lbs. nitrate Of soda 80. 13.eo
40 900 plants .............. 10000
Setting plants .............. s.oo