POTATOES 227 



earth that clings to them; for there is danger 

 that injury may be done. 



If potatoes are dug on a clear, dry morn- 

 ing, they may be gathered before noon in a 

 clean condition to go to the cellar. Then, 

 again, all that are dug out in the afternoon 

 need to be picked up and taken care of before 

 night. If it is late in the fall and there is lia- 

 bility of a frost, do not leave any pota- 

 toes on the ground over night, for they are 

 quickly injured and spoiled by a very little 

 frost. 



If the potatoes are grown for the home, 

 they arq placed in the cellar. Precautions are 

 taken against freezing in the cellar, and yet 

 the potatoes are best kept in the cool, dark 

 part of the cellar, protected from the light as 

 well as the frost. Keep them cool to avoid 

 transpiration or evaporation of water, which 

 would cause them to shrivel and grow soft. 

 Potatoes which are properly grown of the 

 medium late, netted skin varieties, should 

 keep in perfection of cooking qualities until 

 June or July of the following season or near- 

 ly until the early varieties are ready for use. 



If the potatoes are to be sold, they may be 

 taken from the field and run over a screen 

 separating the small ones from the larger 



