Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-04-21
SWEET POTATO INDUSTRY
II Must be IeV,I0ped With Caution
II at all. ...,
HOW TO GROW and HOW TO SAVE
Very Little Difficulty About Raising
Fine Crops of Superior Potatoes;
But the Question of Marketing Is

Quite Serious. r.. SM.
Realizing that danger to the future
success o., the sweet potato industry
in South Carolina may result from
ton rapid expansion along other than
conservative lines, committee repre-
senting several of those agencies inter-
ested in the proper development of the
industry was called by Mr.. W. w.
Long, director of the Extension Ser
vice of Clemson Agricultural college,
to meet in Columbia on March Z, l922.
Existing conditions were discussed
in detail, and it was decided that
definite policy for the safe progress or
the industry in the state would prove
beneficial both to experienced growers
and to prospective growers.
The committee urges earnest and
careful consideration of the recommen-
dations shown below, which were for
rnulated with the idea that the sweet
potato crop can be made profitable
or money crop, not supplanting cotton,
but in measure supplementing it.
Carolina have been considered crop
TO be stored largely in earthen banks,
and marketed mainly during the fall
and early winter months. indications
at present are that the crop may be
profitabiy divided into two parts:
First: Potatoes grown for early
market, to be sold in July, August and
September.
Second: The main crop, to be stored
in curing houses, and marketed during
the winter and spring months This
part of the crop is to be considered
first in this policy.
Soil selection, pure seed free from
disease. preparation of soil, fertiliza-
ton, careful fitting and planting and
cultivating are the essentials Of sue
cess in the growing Of sweet potatoes
for both early and late markets.
Type The sweet potato adapts it
self to a great diversity of soils, but
thrives best on we'll drained, sandy or
light clay-l -loam soil with q clay sub
soil. Growers should avoid black soil,
soil that is infested with wilt and root
knot, soil that is in a very high state
of cultivation, and soil that is not well
drained. Regardless Of the physical
condition of the soil, this crop must be
rotated each year.
Preparation.-Soil should be thor
oughly and deeply prepared by turning
to a depth of six or eight inches fol-
lowed by cross s-disliing. Crooked and
irregular roots result from shallow
cultivation of the soil.
Fertilizers.
Kind.-As a rule S-3-3 is recommen-
ed for clayey soils and S-3-6 for the
lighter and poorer soils. However, the
growers should be governed to a large
extent by local conditions. The use Of
stable manure is cautiously recon-
nended, since il not properly applied
il results in disease. Nitrate of soda
and, sulphate of ammonia If used
should be used with caution.
Amount.-Four hundred to six hun
dred pounds per acre of the proper
formula should be used on soils which
produce bale of cotton per acre. Six
hundred to twelve hundred pounds per
acre should be used on the lighter and
poorer soils
How Applied.-Fertilizer should be
applied in the drill and mixed well
with the soil. If barnyard manure is
used, il should be applied broadcast
and preferably given to the preceding
crop.
Seed and Plant Growing.
Variety-Porto Rico and Nancy Hall
are recommended. Growers should
adopt the variety most popular in the
particular community and should grow
one variety exclusively.
Seed Selection.-Healthy, smooth
medium sized potatoes should be OBJ
tanned from reliable sources. 1t is well
to split the ends of the potato and eX-
anime for rot and if the ends are
blackened, not to use for seed. All po-
tatoes with nearly round, sunken black
spots on the surface or with rotten
ends should be thrown out. Grow your
own plants or buy from reliable
source.
Seed acknowledgements sub
Innate or formaldehyde commercial
40 per cent? is recommended with the
following directions for treatment
l. Dip potatoes for five to eight
minutes in solution of formaldehyde
commercial 40 per cent? made by
diluting one quart in so gallons of
water.
g Dissolve one ounce Of corrosive
sublimate in eight gallons of warm
water and dip the potatoes for ten
minutes. (Use wooden containers).
Handle this solution cautiously as it is
deadly poison.
Bedding-PotatoeS should be bedded
on well drained land that is free from
disease The use of clean sand for
bedding instead of soil will reduce dis
ease.
Fitting the Soil and Setting the Plants
Plantine.-Bcds of medium height,