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into various sizes does not render the sorting complete. 

 If the potatoes were perfect that is, free from disease 

 or blemish some other machines would prove more 

 expeditious in their work, but unfortunately this is 

 barely the case, and sorting must be done by the 

 hand, guided by the eye. Another advantage is that 

 the riddles yield when the potatoes are thrown on to 

 them, thereby saving them from bruising. They are 

 also convenient for transport, and of convenient height 

 for men to work over. 



Turning Potatoes. 



When potato pits are being turned, because of the 

 presence of decay, much of the rotten portion is shaken 

 out. When they are worked on the riddles, any 

 which is not, must be picked out by hand. As separa- 

 tions are made in the process, the several classes thus 

 obtained should be re-pitted in different pits, so as to 

 facilitate work in the future. Potatoes which are 

 pitted in a dirty condition, benefit by being turned 

 as soon as the dirt dries, for then much of it is knocked 

 off, rendering them more marketable. 



If the potatoes are to be kept for a long time, it is 

 necessary to turn them, to prevent them shooting. 

 Some early varieties require turning more than once, 

 otherwise they are spoiled for cooking, or the shoots 

 extract so much of the contents that they are 

 weakened, and the remaining shoots have so little 

 food left for their sustenance that they produce 

 enfeebled plants when used for seed. Labour is 



