Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-08-25
9armers' Qtpartment.
Harvesting Potatoes.

In fera.e err article on the Couture OF
Potatoes" we promised to say something
on the improved method of harvesting
the crop. While the inventive gcuins
of Americans has been active in perfect
ing the mower, the reaper. aud numer-
Gus other labor-saying implements to lid
the farmer in securing his crops, various
contrivanecs have been made for digging
potatoes and separating them from the
soil and stones in which they grow
Most Of these have been complicated, cx-
pcnsivc and unhandy, aud lapted only
to a peculiar soil if successful in their
operation at all, and have generally cen
abandoned after short trial by tneir
hopeful inventors. Efficiency in the
performance Of this labor requires ma
chinery of simple construction, aud ca
SLY managed by the most ordinary farm
laborer. With these views, the writer
of this some years ago constructed
skeleton double moul-board pillow, de-
signed to lift the potatoes from their bed,
separate them from the earth and leave
them upon the surface to be picked up
ly hand as no implement can be con-
structed that will separate and gather
the potatoes free from clods of earth and
stones. In all ordinary soils adapted to
the growth Of the potato this implement
has proved a most valuable aid No pa
tent has ever been secured for this "Po-
tato Digger" and it is therefore open
and free to all manufacturers, although
it has, in violation Of the patent laws of
the United Stntcs, and With a frludu-
lent design, been branded "Paieot," in
connection with the writer's name, and
sold in most Of the Eastern States by
Certain manufacturer.
The successful operation of this pota-
to digger has induced several .inanufac
turers to attempt its modification with
the vicw to secure patents, and in two
instances this has been done, mhHe no
improvement rpm tie original has been
secured. Indeed, neither of them arc
as simple and eiIicicntin their operation,
but are greatly encountered with new an
pendages in order to secure patents for
the purpose Of the monopoly in their
sale. We deem what we have here said,
due to the cul;iyators of this valuable
Scrdp IN their free use of the original po-
'tlto digger.
Node If Harvesting. From long cx-
pcrencc in our latitude, it has been
found that to secure good crop of pc,
tatoes they must be planted upon the o.
pening Of Spring, in order that the crop
may be matured before the hot, dry
weather of sumner arrives. But that
portion Of the crop not designed for
immediate use requires to remain in tar
ground until the cool weather of fall ar
Iives, as they are preserved fresh aud
free from decay much better in the fur
rows where the potatoes grow than when
exposed to the air above ground. From
the time the crop is matured to the prop
er period for digging, say from and al
ter the 10Th Of September, the ground
generally becomes thiehly coated with
weeds and crab grass, In order to ga
Their the crop with the potato digger Cor
Indeed with any impement), these weeds |
and grass must be mown and gathered |
up; frequently the crop of grass is
worth the labor of cutting Then n
heavy harrow shonld be ran lengthwisc |
Of the rows lhis pulverizcs the surface
end causes thc earth to separate freely
from the potatoes. leaving them clean
upon the surface. After narrowing, the
potato digger, drawn with two good
horses, is run Immediately under the rows
which brings the potatoes to the surface
and leaves them spread in rows eighteen
inches wide IN the most convenient man
ner to be picked up. This method of
harvesting is found to save more than
half Of the labor required by any other
mode that has been practiscd, while up
on COOL soil, when dry enough to work
freely and lively. hardly potato is left
in the ground --Harot RcgjS'cr