The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-05
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
POtatO.Digging.

O.Digging.
1t is quite evident from the long-continued
drouth that the potato crop is to be light,
unless rains come very soor. Even in that
event many fields planted with the early va
rieties are beyond help if not already ripe;
and the only chance seems to be for the late
planted crop. Should the dry weather last
much longer only entire failure can be looked
for. We have however known an abundant
crop to be developed and matured on vines
that barely lived through protracted drouth
by early rains in September. The produc-
ton of full sized tubers in the short space OF
fortnight from fields previously bare and
brown seemed magical and almost miracu-
lous.
As the prospective scarcity of this season
follows Immediately after the superabundance
of the last year, we apprehend that farmers
may not begin seasonably to take measures
for securing properly, a1d suitably econo-
MIXING this valuable crop. In this respect
much depends upon digging potatoes at the
proper time.
In saying that we do not favor the prac-
tice of early digging we probably do not &C.
cord with the prevailing creed of agricultur-
lists. OF course certain obvious exceptions
will present themselves to every intelligent
person. The early varieties intended for
market will be dug as soon as they are fit for
the table. Every days delay increases the
opportunities fer competition and diminishes
the gross receipts. Besides, by speedy re-
moval of the first crop from the ground, a
second of some other description will have a
fair chance of success. Or, when a field OF
the Early Rose reaches an exceptional ma
turity and commands correspondingly
high price the fortunate possessor can afford
and may prefer to dress his land with CONNER
cial fertilizers, and plow, in anticipation OF
an early beginning for the ensuing spring.
Sometimes, too, it happens that from the
severity of drouth, or the natural scanti-
ness of pasture, the farmer feels COM
PEELED to turn his herd of cattle into the
moving field, along which lies the unfenced
field of potatoes; in that case it is better for
him to dig the crop in an orderly manner
than to entrust the operation to unskilful
cows and oxen. So also the occupant OF
lowlands, exposed to a sudden rise of water
from an adjacent stream, will find that his
roots are worth more when carefully stored
In the cellar than after they have been sub
merged for a day or two under September
freshet.
Saving these cases, and perhaps few of a
similar character that may not occur to us,
we affirm oIr preference for the late harvest
ing Of the potato crop. In other words, it is
our belief that it should remain in the
ground in the fall, SO long as it is safe from
frost and snow.
The cereals, and many of the fruits of tie
earth are not improved by exposure to the
continued atmospheric influences after reach
ing maturity; on the contrary, the rate Of
their depreciation is proportional to the post
ponement of the harvest. Roots are sub
ject to other laws; grown under ground they
are in safety SO long as they remain there.
and they do not suffer loss until removed and
exposed to new conditions and surroundings.
No mature roots or fruits ever are improved
by exposure to air and llght-why, then,
should the former class be prematurely and
and unnecess ariy Subjected to this trial
Sometimes when potatoes are exposed to
disease, from the combined evils of excess
i've heat and moisture, in early autumn,
this fact ID given as reason for digging them
perhaps as early as September. Our expert
tence however, warrants us in saying that the
crop which has been exposed and tainted in
the earth will decay even if ever so securely
housed-while that portion of it which is
not dug which is found sound later in the sea-
son, after the ravages of the disease have
ceased, win alone be worth saving. Many
persons have dug their potatoes early in or
der to save them, and then been compelled
to remove them from their cellars in decay
ing condition. How much better to have
saved the unpleasant labor of this double
handling, and the dangerous exposure of a
household to such malarious exhalations.
While then, we are satisfied that moth
ing is gained by early digging, we also are
convinced that positive loss results from it,
from the fact that the skin of the potato
while immature is tender, easily injured by
rough handling and not.in the proper condi-
ton to afford sufficient winter covering. But
remaining in the ground through September,
it not only reaches complete maturity, but
also is so tempered by the rains and chills of
autumn that it leaves the earth in its best
estate and in the right condition to preserve
its quality the longest time. So long as the
potato crop is mainly wintered in the cellars
of houses and not of barns, why should the
families of farmers and of consumers who
buy ten or twenty bushels, be subjected to
to. the needless annoyance of months pre-
mature diggingP For it is well to remember,
that the foul gases which proceed from the
heated air and the unripe roots of September
cease to exist mon til later from simple lack
of fource.
When from the approach of cold weather
1t is no longer safe for potatoec to remain in
the ground, then they should be ding as they
are in their best condition, and least likely to
do harm by their accumulations.