182 



than counterbalanced in those cases where labourers 

 are few, and the crop would be left in the land longer 

 than is safe. Potatoes are injured by being left in the 

 land if it is in an excessively wet condition, as the cook- 

 ing properties are destroyed, while severe frost 

 occasionally destroys the whole crop, even in October, 

 A value must also be set on the stirring the land gets, 

 when so thoroughly moved by the plough. If weather 

 is favourable, the potatoes which have been covered 

 may be worked to the surface by means of the curve- 

 tined drag harrow. In dry autumns the land may be 

 rendered quite free from weeds in this manner. 



Potato Raising Machines 



Hitherto potato raising machines have been de- 

 signed to raise the earth in the ridges by means of a 

 share, so as to loosen it to permit a series of rotating 

 forks to level them, and in doing so, to leave the 

 potatoes exposed on the surface. These rotating 

 forks are driven by gearing from the travelling wheels, 

 and possess considerable speed and power, which 

 throw down the ridges with sufficient force to impel 

 them against a rack or screen hung a few feet from 

 them. The force with which the earth is thrown 

 against the screen shakes it clear of the potatoes, and 

 these lie in a comparatively narrow row. As the 

 ground is levelled, the picking up is easier than 

 behind the plough. Very good work has been done 

 by using the fork in conjunction with the raiser. When 

 this is done the revolving forks are taken off the 



