360 GARDEN FARMING 



fork. The other instrument for the hand digging of potatoes is 

 the potato hook, which is made after the fashion of a fork with 

 the tines turned at right angles to the handle, so that it is used 

 in the same way as a hoe. This implement usually carries four or five 

 round tines ; in some instances the tines are made flat, as in the 

 spading fork, but the round-tined type is most desirable. This 

 hook can be used to advantage on light, sandy soils, and where 

 there is only a comparatively small crop to be harvested. With 



FIG. 131. Power sprayer in action two sets of nozzles, one set to spray down 

 and one to spray up 



both these implements the potatoes are turned out of the ground 

 as shown in figure 132, and the ground is left in almost the same 

 condition as before the crop was harvested. 



Between the hand implements and the horse-power potato dig- 

 gers comes the ordinary turning plow. This is used to a great 

 extent for harvesting potatoes. An ordinary plow used for turn- 

 ing stubble land is run under the hills of potatoes so as to throw 

 the tubers out as the soil is turned by the moldboard. The plow 

 is not a good digger, as it cuts and bruises some tubers while it 

 leaves others hidden in the soil. 



