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two parts. By nailing cleats to the middle support of the bins, 

 the partition can be raised as the bins are filled. The partition 

 boards should have some space between them to allow free circu- 

 lation of air. A 1-inch block between the boards will be satis- 

 factory to separate them. By dividing the bins in this way the 

 back of the bin can be filled without walking over the potatoes 

 in the front part. When taking the potatoes out, those in one 

 section of a bin can be removed without disturbing the remainder. 

 This is very important where the potatoes are sold in small 

 quantities. 



One reason why southern farmers have not received good 

 prices for their sweet potatoes is that they have not used proper 

 methods of handling and marketing. In many cases the potatoes 

 are badly bruised and cut in digging, are put in bags or rough 

 barrels without grading, and are rushed on the market when 

 there is an oversupply. The secrets of success in getting high 

 prices are (1) to carefully grade, clean, and pack the product 

 and (2) to put it upon the market when there is a good demand. 



When the potatoes are to be marketed they must be carefully 

 graded, no matter how well it had been done when they were put 

 in the house. The market demands a medium-sized, uniform type 

 of sweet potato, free from bruises or decayed spots. In grading, 

 the large, overgrown, and the crooked, broken, or bruised roots 

 should be kept at home for feeding or for canning. The best 

 potatoes will bring a higher price when separated from the culls. 

 Two market grades are sometimes made — the "extra selects" or 

 "primes" and the "seconds" or "pie stock" — but the southern 

 farmer will do well to make just one market grade and keep the 

 others for feeding to his live stock. 



After carefully grading the potatoes they should be put in 

 clean, neat, attractive packages. Bags should never be used, as 

 the potatoes become badly bruised when handled in this way. 

 The standard veneer potato barrel with a burlap cover is usually 

 used in summer or autumn, but for winter shipment the double- 

 headed stave barrel or tight box is used. The smaller type of 

 package, such as the bushel hamper, bushel box, or basket, is 

 becoming more popular each year. A neat and attractive package 

 of well-graded potatoes will bring a good price almost any time, 

 even when the market is overstocked with inferior goods. 



The value of the sweet potato has increased about 80 per 

 cent, in the last 10 years. With better methods of storing and 

 marketing the present value could be doubled. 



Sweet potatoes can be kept satisfactorily in a storage house 

 where the temperature and moisture conditions can be controlled. 



Sweet potatoes to keep well must be well matured, carefull\- 

 handled, thoroughly cured, and kept at a imiform temperature 

 while in storage. 



Thorough ventilation is essential during the curing period. 



