118 THE POTATO 



1 



"All any one need do to know whether it spoils 

 them or not is just to try it. Cook some that 

 have been washed a week or two; then cook some 

 that have been dug when the ground was in con- 

 dition — the more fresh dirt among them the 

 better — and see how much better and more 

 mealy and palatable they are than the washed ones. 

 Potatoes that are to be kept over winter should 

 be left in the ground as long as possible, until there 

 is danger of freezing them. Then dig when the 

 ground is in condition, not when the mud will 

 stick to them, and the more fresh dirt the more 

 brittle and fresh they will come out in the spring." 



The natural, normal way to take potatoes from 

 the ground and store them is when the soil is dry. 

 When this is the case no washing is necessary. 



Whether harm comes with washing depends on 

 the drying and after care, and the need of washing 

 depends on the amount of mud adhering to the 

 tubers when they are dug. 



Good, hard headed, common sense is required 

 in all harvesting operations, and no rules can cover 

 all conditions. 



