The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-11-03
BETTER STORAGE
METHODS URGED
Food AdminiSt.' alton Seeks to
Reduce Annual WaStage
in Potatoes.
SMALL GROWERS WARNED
Much of Loss From Sweating, Disease,
Frost and Other Causes Can 6e
Prevented, Declares
Expert.

WaShington.-A large part Of the
potato crop OF the United States is
wasted every year through the exist
ence OF bad storage conditions The
government food administration is de-
termined that this loss shall be re-
duced this year. when every bushel Of
potatoes will be needed by the people
OF this country. In order to secure
the adoption OF the best storage meth
DDS by the small growers OF the cOun-
try, Lou D. Sweet, head Of the potato
division of the food administration,
has issued the following statement:
1T is Of great Importance that all
the potatoes raised this year should
be stored under proper conditions.
Even when every precautfon is taken
the wastage Of potatoes during the
winter is considerable; under bad con-
ditions Of storage it is very great in
deed.
in order that the best methods may
be adopted by the small growers. those
who have not had the experience in
the storage OF potatoes, should know
the chief causes Of the wastage. These
causes are:
81 Sweating. heating and conse-
quent rot: often due to insufficient
ventilation
80. ROtting. due to potatoes getting
wet at the time of putting them in
storage.
IS. Injury from frost
a. Decay, owing TO disease in the
tubers at the time Of storage.
60 SprOuting OF tubers in the
spring.
Losses May Be Reduced.
at is not possible to prevent alto
Sether losses from these causes. but
by using the best methods of storage,
it is possible to reduce them very ma
| terially.
This may be done by taking care to
! guard against losses from each OF
/ these causes:
Sweating and heating occur If the
| freshly dug potatoes are piled in too
! large piles, so that the air cannot cir
! culate between the tubers. The risk
/ of loss from this cause is greatest In
| the fall. Immediately after the tubers
| have been dug. and It is, therefore. i'm
/ pOrtant that potatoes when dug should
/ not be put in unnecessarily large piles,
nor kept in an iIl-ventilated room.
IF the potatoes at the digging time
are allowed to get wet and go into
storage in that condition. rotting is
sure to occur. Be careful to have
your potatoes dry before storing.
Potatoes are easily damaged by
! frost. If they become frozen. there
market value is destroyed. Therefore,
N,T-
from frost before and after digging.
Eliminate Diseased Tubers
There are several diseases of the
potato which destroy the tuber. and if
diseased tubers are mixed with the
sound ones, the disease spreads rap
idly; therefore. it is necessary to sort
the potatoes carefully, eliminating all
/ Of the disease, the cuts. cuIIs, and dirt
/ before placing them into permanent
/ storage for the winter. All Of the
cuts. cuIlS. misShapen and diseased tu-
/ bers should be fed to the poultry and
/ live stock. but should be steamed or
/ boiled before being fed, as in this way
/ you increase the food value. and also
( destroy the germs of the disease. so
| that it will not get into the manure
} and thence into the land.
/ by proper ventilation Of the cellar
/ or storage rOOTl, and by holding the
I temperature as near % degrees F as
/ possible you can keep the potatoes
/ from sprOuting.
''Seed for next years planting
/ should he selected from hills that pro-
/ duce all nice. true to type potatoes.
/ These should be selected at the dig
/ ging time, and stored separately in
+ crates OF boxes, and by storing them
/ in a well-lighted room where the tenn
I perature can be held at from "a to 20
I degrees. with a little ventilation and
! this seed planted next spring. tn
/ grower will make start toward i'm
/ proving the quality Of his potatoes. in
stead Of as in the past, simply plant
ing the culIs or runOuts"