ARRANGEMENT OF STORE-HEAP, OR "CLAMP." 49 



same method of arranging the heap as that described at 

 p. 441, vol. L Owing to the comparatively small size of 

 potatoes, however, and the consequent difficulty of ventila- 

 tion, the heap should not be so large as that recommended 

 for root crops, and should be made without the side hurdles 

 a5 all, and built up at an angle of not less than 45. 

 A six-foot hurdle, by a depth at the centre of 4^ feet, 

 then laid on each side, and meeting at the top. would 

 cover a space of about 8^ feet in width. If the heap were 

 built up at an angle of 60 D , the height would be propor- 

 tionably more and the width less; the contents of the 

 heap would also be diminished. A dry and well-drained 

 spot should be selected for the heap a bottom 1 or 2 

 inches deep of hedge-row trimmings, or any other dry 

 stuff, given if possible. The thatch should be laid on the 

 hurdles sufficiently thick to keep out the weather frost 

 as well as rain ; and a small trench, a few inches deep, and 

 about a foot wide, dug all round it, the soil taken out being 

 laid up against the ends of the thatch, so as to close it well 

 down on the ground. If the potatoes have been exposed 

 for a few days on the ground, and are in good dry condition 

 at the time of storing, they will generally keep sound and 

 good while they remain in the heap thus arranged ; whereas, 

 under the ordinary methods of storing taking them fresh 

 from the field, and placing them in heaps, frequently made 

 in a trench below the surface, and covered up with the 

 removed soil the ventilation is greatly checked, if not 

 entirely arrested, moist atmosphere, so favourable to fer- 

 mentation and putrefaction, is secured, and the mass, if in an 

 incipient state of unsoundness when stored, is sure speedily 

 to become worse, and loss and disappointment ensue. 



Notwithstanding the great susceptibility of disease in 

 the potato, and the great losses which occur every year 

 in the store-heaps or " pits/' no more attention seems to 

 be paid to the methods of arranging them than existed 



VOL. II. 36 



