The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-11-14
Storing Potatoes.

IN SCOrluS pOIaCOeS Wnere any con-
siderable quantity is to be put away in
bulk, it should be borne in mind that
moisture is favorable to heating, which
in turn induces decay.
When potatoes are perfectly healthy,
precautiOn in drying is unnecessary,
but particularly should it be observed
when roots show the least symptom of
rot. Then they should be spread in
thin layers and excluded from the
light, waiting until cold weather to
store in heaps. If disease appears
when the potatoes are dug carefully
sort at once, dry the sound ones, place
in separate layers and cover with
ashes, burnt clay or fine, dry mold,
which acts as an absorbent of moisture,
and, according to Allen and other
trustworthy authorities, prevents con-
tagion from such as may be imper-
ceptibly affected. Ordinarily, when
first stored, the covering should be of
straw, old bags or similar light mate
rial until the moisture is quite driven
off. Later, if there is any tendency to
disease, careful sorting is in order
before the final bulking. Avoid, if
possible, disturbing the pile after Jan.
l, as some varieties of tubers are liable
to spr0ut from that time forward.
To save the labor involved in opening
banks, and because, in many other re-
spects, it is more convenient, the prac-
tice of storing potatoes in cellars and
houses built especially for that purpose
prevails in numerous sections over the
old-time custom of storing in the open
ground. When properly handled they
keep equally well-in case of a tenden-
cy to rot, better, as opportunity is af-
forded for sorting-but it is claimed
that a considerable loss is sustained
from shrinkage.
To obviate loss by shrinkage in dry
ing, as well as to save cellar-room and
the expense of building root or store
houses, many farmers continue to bury
their potatoes in the field-in an exca-
walton in the north side of hill, or
under a shade, in porous soil. A
northern exposure or shade will shield
them from any injurious effects of the
sun. When first stored in this manner
the potatoes require protection from
the rain, which is easiest provided with
q slight thatch of straw. When they
have become dry, lightly cover with
earth. after which they will require no
further attention until the beginning of
severe cold weather, when they cali for
an effectual protection from frost as
we'll as rain. If stored on level ground,
Allen advises that place be excavated
for their reception, from one to two feet
in depth and four or five feet in width,
and OF any length required. The DO
tatoes are then ridged up like the roof
of house, and thatched and covered.
A ditch, lower than the base, ought to
encircle the heap when the soil consists
OF clay, from which an outlet conducts
away all the water, as any left upon the
tubers will produce decay.
Sweet potatoes, designed for long
keeping, should be harvested as soon as
they are quite ripe and before there is
sufficient cold to freeze the ground; they
should be air-dried, in the shade, for
days, before storing in winter quarters.
Careful packing and handling, and uni.
form, moderate heat are the requisites
for the attainment of successful pres
ervation with this tuber. At the North,
sweet potatoes are generally stored in
barrels or shallow boxes, placed in
tiers, indoors, with spaces of few
inches between for ventilation. Thus
arranged, q uniform heat is maintained
from a fire in the cellar or elsewhere.
At the South the common practice is to
hill them, in dry place, and protect
from the weather by a thatching of
straw, shingles. etc.-M.Y World.