THE DASHEEN, A ROOT CROP FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 33 



For separating tubers too small for market the distance between 

 the rods should be about If inches. A frame of the size mentioned 

 can be readily handled by one man. If, however, the quantity of 

 dasheens is large it will be desirable to have a stationary grader of 

 larger dimensions. It should be placed on an incline, so that the 

 larger tubei-s will roU off at tlie lower end. If more than two grades 

 of tubers are desii-ed, an additional set of rods or bars at either greater 

 or less distances apart can be placetl a few inches above or below, as 

 may be necessary. In the use of any grading device and in the 

 handling of dasheens generall}^, care should be taken, as in handling 

 potatoes, not to bruise them. 



On account of the variability in the form of dasheen tubers some 

 handwork will probably always be necessary where careful gi-ading 

 is required, but the amount of this can be greatly reduced b}^ adoptmg 

 some plan such as one of those outlmed. 



STORAGE. 



The question of the best method of storing dasheens to prevent 

 them from decaying is still under investigation. At present they 

 appear to be no more difficult to keep in storage than sweet potatoes. 

 They will usually keep well if stored in a dry place at a temperature 

 of about 60° F. where the air can circulate freely among them. It 

 is believed that they will also keep if placed in dry santl or earth in a 

 dry cellar having a temperature of 60° F. or a little less. 



CONCLUSION. 



From the interest that has already developed among southern 

 farmei-s who have become even slightly acquaintetl with the dasheen, 

 it seems probable that this crop is destined to become of great import- 

 ance to that section of the country. It can be grown as a summer 

 crop in a region where the potato must be gi'own almost entirely as a 

 spring crop, for it ripens its tubers in October and furnishes them for 

 the table at a season when northern-grown potatoes have to be 

 shipped in at prices relatively high, except in seaports. It is a good 

 yielder, comparing favorably with the potato. If grown on well- 

 drained land it is not injured as the potato is by unusually wet 

 weather and is therefore suited for cultivation on lands where the 

 potato would be a failure. Its culture on wet lands in the South 

 where the water supply can be controlled by drainage or otherwise is 

 a subject of further investigation. 



The young tops when properly cooked can be substituted for 

 spinach at a time when the weatlier is too hot to gi-ow spinach. The 

 blanched shoots obtained by forcmg dasheen corms in the dark in a 

 greenhouse or under other suitable conditions constitute an entirely 



[Cir. 127] 



