278 



CULTURE OF IRISH POTATOES 



of horse-digger, while elevators and sorters have been added in the 

 larger diggers. 



About one-half or more of the potato crop is dug by hand. The 

 hook is used mostly on sandy or gravelly soils where the tubers are 

 shallow, and the ridge method of culture is practised. The potato 

 fork is used more in the Western States on deep loam soils, where 

 more level culture is practised and the tubers are deeper. 



The horse-diggers are generally used where acreage is large and 

 the land level, except in some northern regions like northern New 

 York, where the vines are very heavy and usually green at digging 

 time. 



FIG. 109. A large potato digger. 



Storage. Potatoes are usually stored in cellars, field pits, or 

 cold storage warehouses. 



The principle of good storage is to keep them cool, dry, and with 

 good ventilation to carry off moisture as the potatoes dry. 



Changes in Storage. In storage, potatoes undergo certain 

 changes. Potatoes when first ripe, will usually not germinate; but 

 they undergo a slow process of maturing under storage, and will 

 usually germinate freely in two to three months. This is known as 

 the dormant period. The cooking quality also changes, the potatoes 

 becoming more mealy when cooked, as they mature under storage. 



