91 



at the ends had one inch space (see Fig. 4) between the 

 slats to give good ventilation. 



THE CURING PERIOD 



In storage house, the curing required was from ten 

 days to two weeks, depending upon weather condi- 

 tions. When the weather was cool or rainy, or botK 

 curing was retarded as the air was already saturated 

 with moisture. It was harder to keep the temperature 

 up to the desired degree on cold days. Moisture is 

 given off from the potatoes much more slowly when tlie 

 temperature is low and the air is more nearly saturated; 

 with moisture. 



Some varieties of potatoes cured more easily than 

 did others. The wet, juicy or sugary varieties cured 

 much more slowly than the dry varieties. It required 

 from three to five days longer to cure the Dooley Yam 

 than the Triumph and Nancy Hall. The curing in 

 these experiments was timed for Triumph. Good re- 

 sults were secured, however, with Nancy Hall and 

 Porto Rico. Many other varieties were stored in the 

 same room but the proper curing period for each va- 

 riety could not be ascertained. There was conse- 

 quently a greater loss from dry or soft rot among the 

 other varieties. The cultural and other experiments 

 seem to show that Triumph, Nancy Hall and Porto 

 Rico are the three most valuable varieties, so no record 

 of other varieties is given. 



The curing process was considered complete when^ 

 the tubers felt dry and spongy to the touch and the 

 cut or skinned surface had formed a dry, white callous^ 



CURING TEMPERATURE 



The air inside the storing house was kept warmer 

 than the air outside through the curing period. If it 

 was impossible to keep the temperature up to 80 to 85 

 F. during the curing period, the ventilators, door and 

 window were kept open so as to expel the moisture 

 and prevent it being deposited on the walls. On cool 

 nights the house was closed. 



As the storage house was not ready until after the 

 potatoes had been dug in 1914, they were scored in the 

 greenhouse laboratory until the house was srifficiently 

 completed for them to be removed into it. Many of 

 the cut and bruised potatoes had begun to decay due 

 to this delay. The potatoes showing signs of rot were 



