POTATOES 



367 



about 4 feet wide is made to receive the tubers. The potatoes are 

 then placed in a conical heap of any desired length, usually about 

 a carload capacity, and heaped as long as they will remain in posi- 

 tion. After the conical heap, or a section of it, has been completed 

 the tubers are covered with clean straw, preferably rye or wheat, and 

 this in turn is covered with a layer of earth which at first may be 

 only 3 or 4 inches thick, but which should be increased in thick- 

 ness as the cold weather of winter comes on. If the covering of 



FIG. 137. Potato storage pit 



earth is not deemed sufficient during extremely cold weather, an 

 additional protection may be afforded by the use of coarse stable 

 litter or bundles of corn fodder placed over the pit. A trench, deep 

 enough to prevent surface water reaching the interior of the pit, 

 should be dug completely around the pit and should be provided 

 with an adequate outlet for the water. 



&oot cellars and barn cellars. Many growers who are engaged 

 in the extensive production of potatoes, either for market or for 

 seed purposes, make provision for the* storage of their crops, 



