126 THE POTATO 



quired. The entire work is under the control of 

 the operator and any potatoes which are decayed or 

 ill-shaped may be removed while the work is pro- 

 gressing. The sorting or separation divides the 

 potatoes into three sizes. 



THOMPSON MACHINERY 



The Thompson potato sorter is made by James 

 Thompson, Greeley, Col., and is largely used 

 in the West. Mr. Thompson also makes bag 

 holders and potato baskets. The sorter is oper- 

 ated by rocking back and forth the part into 

 which the potatoes are emptied, the small potatoes 

 dropping through the screen and being conveyed 

 into one sack, the larger ones going over the screen 

 and into the other sack. It is used both in the 

 cellar and field. 



By laying a burlap sack over the upper end of 

 the screen there is less bruising of the potatoes as 

 they are shoveled or emptied on the sorter. The 

 sack may cover one quarter to one third of the 

 top surface of the sorter. 



THE DOWDEN MACHINERY 



The Dowden potato digger, made by the Dow- 

 den Manufacturing Company, Prairie City, Iowa, 

 weighs 1,140 pounds and is drawn by two or 

 four horses, although made strong enough that six 

 may be used, if required. 



The point, or "snout," of the digger goes under 

 the rows, elevating the potatoes over an apron 

 made of rods spaced far enough apart to let the 

 dirt fall through, but close enough together to 

 carry the potatoes over and deposit them on the 

 top of the ground. 



