THE POTATO 117 



grower informs us that he makes a practice of 

 thoroughly washing his potatoes every year, after 

 which they are stored in bushel boxes. The 

 claim is made that by this method the highest 

 market price is obtained on account of the fine, 

 clean appearance of the tubers, and also on ac- 

 count of the splendid condition in which they keep 

 stored in this fashion." 



An Iowa grower believes in the practice of wash- 

 ing potatoes, and says in the Wisconsin Farmer: 



"According to my experience, too much cannot 

 be said in favor of throughly cleaning potatoes as 

 soon as they are dug. The finest crop I ever saw 

 was rotting in the ground on account of the weather 

 being hot and moist. As soon as they were dug 

 the spray-pump was started and the potatoes 

 thoroughly washed. They were then allowed to 

 dry before being housed, and after being sorted 

 not a solitary tuber decayed. I had another ex- 

 perience that tends to corroborate this practice. 

 Over a year ago I bought some potatoes, but when 

 they were delivered they were covered with dry 

 mud. These potatoes when cooked had a nau- 

 seating taste, and in several instances had a sick-N^ 

 ening effect. I came to the conclusion that when I 

 potatoes were left in this dirty condition germs 

 of disease were present, and it is my opinion that 

 the law should prohibit the marketing of potatoes 

 in this condition. Not only are they unwhole- 

 some, but they are much more apt to decay than 

 if they are thoroughly cleaned by washing." 



Another grower condemns the washing of the 

 tubers and says: 



