Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-08-16

narrowing did not pay.
The less dirt that adheres to potatoes
the better hence, dig them when the
ground is dry if it is possible to do So
AS soon as dug, the potatoes should be
placed where they will be sheltered
from the sun, but where the air can
reach them freely, that they may dry.
If the ground is damp and sticky when
they are dug, they should be spread
out well; but if the ground is dry, they
may be put in pile, as the outside
will be dry till more are thrown upon
it. l generally make a roof of boards
along the fence and pile the potatoes
under it on bed of grass or straw
but, as have said, if the ground is
wet and sticky the potatoes must be
spread out more. Leave the potatoes
so until they are thoroughly dried.
They must be gathered up by hand
and the dirt rubbed off them also, the
roots removed. | notice that many
people fail to do this, but the results
pay well for the labor. WheD so much
labor has been bestowed upon a crop,
as is necessary to the production of po-
tatces, it is certainly short-sighted polls
cy to hazard its preservation rather
than bestow little extra labor upon
it. Experience and observation have
convinced me that nothing conduces
more to the keeping of potatoes in good
condition than these two lhings--re-
moval of dirt and roots.
This is the time to grade the pota-
toes, also. In digging, all potatoes,
no matter how small, should be gath
cred up. When gone over by hand,
the smaller and the larger ones can be
sorted out, Grading potatoes is one Of
the important points in marketing
them to the best advantage. Let all
sizes be placed together and they will
bring much less than if sorted out. l
would make three divisions. Those
too small for use or market, those of a
fair size, and large ones. To gather
up those too small for cooking, pays,
for they can be fed to hogs. l would
separate those for market into the me-
dunn sized and the large, for the more
uniform in size potatoes are the better
they sell; and when a few large ones
are mixed in with those of fair size,
former make the latter look smaller,
I and all sell for less than would the me.
dunn sized ones alone.
E When the potatoes are cleared of
roots and earth and assorted, | convey
them to, and store them in some airy
shed. The rain and sun must be kept
out and that is all that is necessary.
: A stock shed or an empty corn crib is
excellent. The barn, wagon.shed,
wood-house or carriage-house may be
made to do duty. Whatever place is
selected, see that it is airy and cool.
In it leave the potatoes till there is
danger of their being frozen, when
+ they are to be buried or stored in the
cellar.
They may be dumped on the floor
Of their temporary storage place, but
it is better to have them in bins. If
put upon the floor rats and mice will
congregate about them, and it will be
, impossible for the cats and dogs to
t drive these pests out; besides, if The
3 tubers are place so near the ground as
5 the floor of granary or clubhouse gem
/ orally is, or upon the ground itself,
they are apt to draw dampness, and
, dampness favors rot. | make my bins
to stand about foot from the floor, and
out from the walls, so that the air can
circulate under and around them, and
f the cats have fair chance at the mice
and rats. | use no straw in the
, bins, as it draws moisture and also in
creases the attractions to the mice. If
the potatoes are poured in carefully
they will not be bruised, though no
: straw be used in the bins.
5 For handling potatoes steel shovel
should never be used. 1t is sure to
d. cut and bruise the potatoes. A wooden
: shovel is easily made, and does not in
jure the potatoes. 1t should be made
A of tough wood-whlte oak Or hickory
II Al