CHAPTER XIII 

 STORING 



POTATOES may be stored in the open in piles covered 

 with straw and earth, in cellars or root-houses, accord- 

 ing to the climatic conditions. 



Piles. These are useful for temporary storage in 

 the North. Dig a trench about 3 or 4 inches deep, 3 

 feet wide, and as long as desired; make the bottom per- 



FIG. 45 POTATO SHOVEL 



feclly level and firm, so that a potato shovel (Fig. 45) 

 may be used on it when moving the potatoes. Throw 

 the soil from the trench onto each side, making a bank 

 about 1 5 inches wide with it. This will give a trough 

 about 7 inches deep in which to empty the potatoes. 

 Pile the potatoes neatly, so that the face of the pile at 

 the center will be 3 feet or so high. When sufficient 

 potatoes are stored, place about 3 inches thick of rye or 

 wheat .straw (oat straw being liable to heat and become 

 mouldy) with the butts down and heads up on the 

 sides and one end of the pile, leaving the other end 

 for additional potatoes ( Fig. 46) . Then cover the straw 



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