George Washington Carver: A National Agricultural Library Digital Exhibit

1922

National Agricultural Library

There are but few if any of our staple farm crops, receiving more attention than the sweet potato, and indeed rightfully so. The splendid service it rendered during the great World War in the saving of wheat flour, will not soon be forgotten. The 99 different and attractive products (to date) made from it, are sufficient to convince the most skeptical that we are just beginning to discover the real value and marvelous possibilities of this splendid vegetable.

Here in the South, there are but few if any farm crops that can be depended upon one year with another for satisfactory yields, as is true of the sweet potato. It is also true that most of our Southern soils produce potatoes superior in quality, attractive in appearance and as satisfactory yield as any other section of the country.

HISTORY

It is said that the early navigators of the sixteenth century recognized such a strong resemblance between the Irish potato and the sweet potato that they called them both by the same name.

They are not only botanically, but the edible parts of each are in character and taste quite unlike. Botanically, the sweet potato belongs to the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), and has been given the technical name of Impomeabatatas.

How the Farmer Can Save His Sweet Potatoes and Ways of Preparing It for the Table