The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-11-07
HOW TO KEEP THE SWEET PO-
TATO.

my own experience, and upon tne ca,o
fuI observation of the methods USED Oy
Others. The sweet potato Is perhaps
tho fsvorite vegetable Of the South,
and of late years it is grown 10 con-
siderable extent in many Northern
States and it seems strange so few
know how to keep them through h
winter season.
So difficult indeed it is regarded that
only a small per cent. Of farmers make
any effort in that line at all. The idea
ia prevalent that our most successful
notato men have some secret art IN
keeping them. Such men have made
nice little fortunes in growing the
tuber.
In keeping the sweet potato it Is ad-
visable to use that method which Is
most economical and convenient, which
depends upon the size of the crop and
the surroundings. The method matters
but little so the following principles
and conditions are observed:
l.. A sandy clay loan is best suited
to a strong and healthy growth of the
potato. A heavy limestone soil, or one
strongly impregnated with alkaline
substances, injure the skin OF the tuber
and makes it susceptible to rot. Avoid
soils that are heavily fortified with
amoniacal manures.
2. Dig the sweet potato before frost
LSlJ, +ho xyiDo An IN i1Iru RI tho CtnOo
Injuries the whole tuber. Select a dry
time, if possible, to dig in. Handle
each potato carefully, do not bruise or
scratch them. Do not get them sun
blistered while digging,
8. Remove from patch directly to
= place of storage, and never handle
them till taken out to market or to
bed. Rot, if it sets in, may necessitate
an assortment, but such a condition
should not exist. If a second handling
becomes necessary, use the geatest
care.
4. The cellar or place of storage
should be perfectly dry. Moisture is
conducive to rot.
5. Let the temperature range be
tween SO and 60 degrees Fahrenheit,
and lever lower than 40. The more
uniform the temperature TIE better.
6. Ventilation is OF vital Importance.
Top ventilation should always be
given, especially after November; this
is secured by a proper construction of
A. ~oAo4O hN,rCn Nnuor 0nuON fhn
potatoes with straw or cloth of any
kind, for this prevents the escape of
moisture and injurious gases, and often
causes too high a temperature. The
best V when owe is used, is dry
dirt or sawdust. No cover at all di-
rectly on the potato is decidedly pref
cradle.
UNDERGROUND CELLAR METHODS E
. An underground cellar is the easiest
and most economical mean of keeping
a large quantity Of potatoes, These
should be built where perfect freedom
from moisture can b. secured. An ele-
waited point, with slopes from all sides,
and a deep clay soil, is a good location.
1t is almost impossible to get a dry eel
lar when it is dug through rock strata
or has a rock bottom. A rock wall is
not so good; clay, brick or wood is
better.
Partition the cellar into bins of from
forty to one hundred barrels capacity
each, with air space between each bin.
7 - 4;-Jo &C fou foot ovtnn6 tho
length of the collar, and build the bins
on either side Of it. Some varieties
that are hard to keep require smaller
bins, while other varieties can be
bulked in larger quantities. If the
season is wet and the potatoes sappy,
avoid large bulks.
When the potatoes are placed in the
cellar, leave open the doors or take up
the floor Immediately over the bins and
leave up till cold weather necessitates
their closing. When closed they do not
need to be opened again. Ventilation
for the rest of the son should be
given through hatchways-one, two or
three, as the a may require-which
should open above the aisle. These
hatchways should serve as the entrance
to and the exit from the cellar, and
should be left open as much as the
weather will admit.
Entrance from the outside should be
provided by a door or doors entering
the space above the cellar. These may
be opened or closed as the temperature
requires. Avoid always a current Of
air.
After the doors above the bins have
been closed or the floors replaced for
tho minter they may be covered with