The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-08-02
STORE EARLY POTATOES

southern states nave thus lar Been
twice as heavy as a year ago at this
time, and are increasing rapidly. Ten.
nessee potatoes are just being dug,
and, Of course the early crop from
northern states is still in the gro9nd.
Shipments from the earliest potato
sections indicate the largest crops for
years, although the Price has remained
/ firm. The supply of winter potatoes
held over from last fall was consider
ably below normal and the supply of
early potatoes as yet has been made
quate to meet the demand.
When the crop comes in from the
heaviest early potato producing states,
however, there will be many more po-.
tstoes than viii be needed for imme-
date use. This ordinarily the case in
normal year and viii be the case
this year due to increased production,
though the demand is heavier, unless
the surplus is taken by foreign export.
The price paid for early potatoes is
FORMALLY lowest at digging time, due
tc the common practice of growers
hauling potatoes from field to market
at about the same time. The indica-
tons are that the production of pota-
toes has been SO great that if grow
els follow the usual practice for
short period there will be an over4sup-
ply on the market, even in the face of
q heavy demand this year. The war
trade may take this surplus, but no.
one knows. For these reasons, all ear
ly potatoes not needed for immediate
use should be stored on the farm wher-
ever possible, if the grower wants to
get the best prices. Home gardeners
should also make plants to store their
surplus of early potatoes. Placing too
many potatoes on the market at one
time may not only cause temporary
glut during the early potato season,
and bring low prices to the grower,
but may also make a potato shortage
eoubly acute later on in the year when
potatoes will be most needed, and when
prices consequently will be highest. IA
1t is a common idea among potato
growers in Tennessee that it is imprac-
t'cable to keep early potatoes from
harvest time throughout the summer
months. This is an error. The war
has changed many ideas to meet emer-
gencies, and it must change this one.
Transportation facilities between the
south and the north will be uncertain
and producers should arrange for stor-
age where they have never thought of
storing before, With the right kind
of care it is possible to keep early po-
tatoes throughout the winter months.
To store these potatoes successfully
for winter, they must be allowed to
remain in the ground until they are
thoroughly mature. Immediately af-
ter they are dug, they must be car
ried to barn, shed, cellar or basement
Of house, where they can have plenty
of ventilation, yet be protected from
the hot sun, and evaporating windss
and allowed only small amount 81
light. Every hour of unnecessary ex-
posure to the hot sun and hot, dry
winds at digging time greatly injuries
the keeping quality. Poor digging
practices are responsible for the idea
that early potatoes cannot be kept un-
til winter
Plenty of ventilation must be given
the potatoes when in storae during
the summer months. 1t is best to
spread them out rather thinly in shall
low bins with Slated bottoms and par
t.tions that will afford free circulation
Of air among the tubers, or to place
them in boxes with Slated sides and
bottoms, holding one bushel or less.
Various kinds of boxes and baskets
can be used for holding these potatoes
Splint baskets holding about one-half
bushel, or berry crates such as may be
secured very cheaply from stores and
commission houses dealing in produce
may be used, the main requisite being
that they permit ventilation on all
siles.
When a large number of potatoes
are stored, and the space for storage
is relatively small, it is best to have
the boxes of uniform size, so they can
be stacked in tiers four to six feet
high and in rows eighteen inches to
two feet apart with no loss of space.
Between the adjoining boxes in the tier
there should be a space Of about one
half inch. This can be arranged by
placing small strip of wood on each
end of the box below it, which will al
low the air to circulate between the
boxes.
Where a relatively small amount of
potatoes is grown as is the case in
home garden, the tubers can be stor-
ed conveniently in chip or splint bas-
kets, or in any convenient box that has
open sides and bottoms. The boxes
may be set on shelf out of the way,
or if the containers are baskets they
may be hung on nails in walls or raft
ers.
1t is, of course, necessary that pota-
toes to keep well, be perfectly sound,
mature and from plants that are free
from disease. Unsound potatoes will
start to rot and cause others to spoil.
Plants that have been killed by blight
or other diseases yield tubers which
seldom keep well, even under the most
favorable conditions. Such tubers had
better be sold for immediate consump.