Ch. XXII.] ON POTATOES. 281 



the l.ind and f^iving it a more effectual dressinp;. The expense of digging 

 varies in different counties ; being in some places only from Id. to 2rf., 

 and in the neighbourhood of London from 3d. to Ad. per bushel ; but 

 in vvliatever way the operation may be performed, the crop is gathered 

 in baskets by women and grown children, who usually place it in sacks, 

 each containing three bushels, and eight of them will conmionly pick up an 

 acre in the course of a day. The cost is thus readily ascertained ; and a 

 good male labourer is generally able to get up and fill, without the assistance 

 of a })artner, about 12 to 15 bushels in a day. .i 



When taken up by the ploi/gh, the double mould-board is used with a 

 spread to the extent of the drills, and is run through the centre of the space 

 between them ; then returning through the next row but one, so as to allow 

 time to the pickers, and not to throw loose earth on the unpicked drills, 

 and coming back in the row between the two. 



JFhen dug up, the fork should have four prongs, eacli about an inch 

 broad by fifteen inches long, with an inch between each prong, to allow of 

 the mould being separated from the roots ; and the ends of the prongs 

 should be rounded, so as to prevent them from cutting the potatoes. 



When grown in small quantities, and used for family consumption, they 

 are commonly placed in moderate heaps under cover of some outhouse, 

 where they may be preserved from frost : to secure which, they should be 

 placed upon a bedding of straw, with which they should also be well 

 covered. Upon large farms, however, that plan is found inconvenient, 

 and the mode usually adopted is to store them in narrow pits of an inde- 

 finite length and not more than two feet deep ; which should also be 

 bedded with straw or dry fern, if. the earth be damp; though we have 

 heard it objected, that if any thing be laid below the potatoes, it subjects 

 them to decay, and injures the flavour of the roots. They are then [filled 

 up into ridges and thatched in the same manner as turnips ; after which 

 they are covered with a thick coating of clay, closely compacted with the 

 spade; on which, if some ashes be sifted, the mixture, or if the covering 

 be coated with turf, it will eflectualty resist the frost ; but, if frost-bitten, 

 they should not be thrown away, as they may then be converted into flour, 

 as well as if they were sound*. 



;- In addition to this it has been justly remarked, " that not only should 

 the crops be thoroughly ripe before they are dug, but that, after having 

 been allowed to dry and season on the surface of the land, they should be 

 so stored as to be kept dry, cool, and free from untimely vegetation, 

 whether kept in cellars, potato-houses, or pits. Expedients for effecting 

 this will readily suggest themselves ; but in the case of pits, it is recom- 

 mended, when putting in the potatoes, to stick up narrow wicker-work 

 funnels, at regular distances along the centre, thus leaving cavities or 

 chimneys, from the bottom of the heaps, for the escape of steam. When 

 heaped up, the potatoes should remain a while uncovered, except with dead 

 tops, dried fern, or straw, with the addition of tarpaulin covers all night 

 and when raining, until sufficiently seasoned, when they may be finally 

 covered with earth ; sods being laid over the chimneys at night and during 

 rain or frost, to prevent injury f." 



* In the severe winters peculiar to the climate of Russia, the potato is preserved 

 from frost in the following manner : A building is erected over a pit sunk about two 

 feet in the ground, the walls and roof of which are formed of turf, and the whole inside 

 is lined with planks of wood. The door, which is ver}' small, and placed on a sheltered 

 side, is covered with bundles of straw, to prevent the ingress of air, and the interior is 

 divided into square divisions reaching along the sides, into which the potatoes are jiiledj 

 without any straw, in heaps reaching nearly to the roof. — Farm. Mag. vol. x.\. p. 4oo, 



f Traii&uctioas of the liighlaud Society, N. S., No. x.\i.\. p. 'i7. 



