Keeping Siveet Potatoes in Winter 149 



place in the "bank" generates a temperature favorable 

 to the growth of the fungous germs or spores absorbed 

 during their rough exposure. Is it strange that they 

 refuse to keep after such an experience! To withstand 

 the rough handling in general practice, a variety having 

 a tough skin seems a desideratum. Reformation is 

 imperatively demanded in the method of treating this 

 important crop. Potatoes should be dug, if practicable, 

 when the soil is comparatively dry, so that no dirt will 

 adhere to them. They should be spread to dry in the 

 sun where they are dug. This will diminish the injury 

 from handling and improve their keeping qualities. 



A full description of the variety of methods adopted 

 for keeping through the winter w^ould fill a volume. The 

 most common practice on the farm is as follows: Dig a 

 shallow circular ditch around an area sufficient for the 

 bank, throwing the dirt toward the center of the circle, 

 thus affording safe drainage. This circle should extend 

 one foot outside of the base of the pile of potatoes, to 

 serve as a base on which to build the cover. Spread drj- 

 straw six inches deep over the circle. Build a cone of 

 potatoes in the center; cover them with six inches of dry 

 straw, and place over this large pieces of pine bark, 

 boards or corn-stalks; then build, on the margin left 

 for the purpose, a covering of soil, carrying it nearly to 

 the top of the bank of uniform thickness, leaving a 

 space at the top a foot in diameter for the escape of gas. 



Protect with a board shelter, sufficient to keep off 

 rain. Before severe weather, close the opening left at 

 the top with the uniform thickness of soil. Some place 

 a ventilator in the center of the hill. It would be well 



