THE POTATO 159 



A modification of this policy is suggested. This 

 is to lengthen the planting, harvesting and market- 

 ing season by planting some acreage to an early 

 variety or varieties; some to later sorts and the 

 balance to late varieties. This makes it possible 

 to do the work with less help at the ''rush" time, 

 keeping the fewer extra help required for a longer 

 period. It makes it possible to market a portion 

 of the crop from the field, saving rehandling. 

 Some money is brought in early to pay the season's 

 expenses. By reason of getting a part of the crop 

 out of the way and off the farm early, the propor- 

 tionate loss from shrinkage and possible loss in 

 the storage cellar in the entire crop is lessened, 

 while enough of the crop is carried over to get the 

 benefit of possible high prices the coming spring. 

 This plan has been adopted at Mt. Sopris Farm 

 and is working out very satisfactorily. 



The potato shrinks its greatest percentage dur- 

 ing the first ten days after digging — probably 10 to 

 12 per cent. Potatoes clipped by the digger are 

 usable at digging, while if put in the cellar they 

 decay, and cause decay in the tubers with which 

 they come in contact. 



Greater economy in grading is possible in Amer- 

 ica. The common market requirement is to dis- 

 card as culls, all potatoes that will not pass over 

 a two-inch screen or riddle. In some places those 

 passing through the screen are thrown away, not 

 even being used for stock food. Some of these 

 small potatoes are perfectly good for human food 

 and should be put up in packages — graded to 

 size and sold at a discount. They are quite as good 

 as any for making soups and are all right baked. 

 They can be easily and thoroughly cleaned with 

 brushes. They do not require paring and can 



