330 THE POTATO 



no doubt been used too much in the past, but intel- 

 ligent farmers are coming to realize that more fre- 

 quent rotation, together with an adequate supply of 

 nitrogen and humus to be grown on the land with 

 stated periods of rest, is vastly more profitable for 

 a series of years. These matters are being earn- 

 estly discussed by the different granges and farmers' 

 clubs, to the end that the best and most approved 

 methods may be practised. 



"With the beginning of digging and harvesting 

 of the crop (about Sept. 1st), the potatoes are 

 usually sorted in the field, the merchantable stock 

 being taken direct to the shipping station or to the 

 farmer's cellars, according to his idea of the then 

 prevailing market, and the small and refuse stock, 

 to the starch factories, of which there are some 

 sixty odd in the county. The price obtained for 

 this starch material is of course somewhat elastic, 

 according to the value of the finished product, but 

 at all events there is no waste allowed, and 

 frequently the amount received is such as to 

 materially add to the net profits of the farm 

 operation. 



"Where the farmer grows a larger quantity than 

 he has storage for, a part of his crop is hauled 

 direct to the shipping station, where cash is paid 

 on a basis of the prevailing markets, less freight 

 charges, and a fair compensation to the buyer and 

 shipper for the amount of labor required in the 

 marketing and handling of same. 



"Such a part of his crop as he decides to hold for 

 later marketing is usually stored in an outdoor 

 farm cellar, built especially for the purpose, and 

 to be hauled during the winter at leisure, accord- 

 ing to his idea of what the market may afford as 

 the season advances. 



