366 GARDEN FARMING 



used in northern and eastern Texas and adjacent sections. Many 

 of the late-crop potatoes grown at the North are also marketed 

 in this manner, while on the Pacific coast loo-pound sacks are 

 almost universally used. 



It is a good plan for the growers to fill the sacks well so that 

 there is a slight excess in weight in each. There is always more 

 or less shrinkage during shipment, and it is desirable that the 

 potatoes overrun slightly in weight when they reach the market. 



FIG. 136. Pitting or burying potatoes in the field 



There is always better sale for sacks containing a little excess 

 than for those short in weight. The higher price is sufficient to 

 warrant the growers in providing this slight excess. 



Storage. The storing of the crop may be done in temporary pits 

 in the field, as shown in figure 1 36, which is usually termed " bury- 

 ing the potatoes," in barn cellars, or in specially constructed root 

 cellars, as shown in figure 137. When the tubers are buried in the 

 field the pits are constructed on a well-drained, somewhat elevated 

 piece of ground. An excavation about 6 or 8 inches deep and 



