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SECTION IX. 



DIGGING POTATOES. 



The Fork. 



Until within comparatively recent years almost all 

 potatoes were dug or raised by the fork. The plough 

 has certainly been used for a fairly long period, but in 

 its ordinary form it is not well adapted to the purpose, 

 though with the special breasts and raisers now fitted 

 to it it is very serviceable under some conditions. 

 Potato-raising machines, as those implements which 

 stir the land in which the potatoes grow, and work 

 them to the surface by means of revolving parts, are 

 designated, have been used for a number of years, and 

 are being improved from time to time. Hand labour 

 appears very expensive, but under some conditions is 

 the most profitable, as where the ground is hard the 

 resistance is so great that the potatoes are bruised or 

 crushed when raised by other implements. A great 

 drawback to the use of the fork is the frequency with 

 which the potatoes are pricked, especially in the case 

 of those varieties where the tubers form at a distance 

 from the stem. This entails considerable loss, because 

 all those which are pricked are rendered unfit to be 

 classed as best quality. Skilled labourers not only 

 leave less undug than do those not accustomed to the 



