216 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



few from each plant, taking care not to injure it. This 

 operation is called "grabbling," and is occasionally 

 resorted to by market-gardeners. 



For the late crop, remember that so long as any 

 part of the plant is green the tubers continue to grow. 

 At a Vermont Station test " more than one-third of the 

 crop was made after September 1." (Farmers Bulletin 

 No. 35.) 



Dig carefully with an ordinary fork, which is 

 probably better than the potato hoe; for large opera- 

 tions there are special machines. It is wise to keep 

 the Potatoes from the sun. 



Storage. After the Potatoes are dug, get them 

 away from the light as soon as possible, and store in 



bins or barrels in a 

 cool, dry and dark 

 place. Storage in 

 the South is a 

 troublesome matter, 

 and the " seed " has 

 often to be im- 

 ported. Potatoes 

 should not be 

 frozen, as they are 

 thereby ruined. 



Diseases and 

 pests are chiefly, to 



Fig. 103. The two potato-blights. Early blight ., , hnvP 



on the right, late or true blight on the left. tne P<* ri *> 



