Tin: POTATO IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 35 



Potatoes for seed purposes should be handled very carefully to prevent them 

 from becoming bruised or skinned. Together with this, it is essential that they be 

 perfectly dry before being stored. Seed-potatoes should not be stored in old sacks 

 or in unsanitary cellars. The storage-'house should be cool and well ventilated in 

 order that the seed may not sprout, the best temperature being about 36 F. It is 

 especially desirable to control the temperature and moisture in the storage of seed- 

 potatoes, since there is undoubtedly a close relation between these factors and 

 disease. 



Storage of the General Crop. Every potato-grower should make provision for 

 storing at least part of his crop. If he grows a large acreage of potatoes each year, 

 then it would pay him to build a permanent potato-storehouse, but if, on the other 

 hand, the acreage is small, then it will be cheaper for him to store in the cellar or 

 pit. The greatest difficulty encountered with pitting is that the potatoes cannot be 

 gotten at when the weather is cold and the grower never knows just what the 

 temperature is. The best storage temperature for the general crop is around 3G 

 to 40 F. Each storage-house should be provided with a thermometer. Where 

 temperature is too high conditions are favourable for disease, and potatoes will 

 also 'be likely to sprout. It has been estimated that when potatoes have sprouted 

 badly there is a loss of from 10 to 40 bushels per acre. In putting potatoes into 

 storage it is better to spread them out in layers, in order that they may cool off 

 better. 



Construction of Storage-houses. In constructing a storage-place for potatoes, 

 certain essential factors must be continually borne in mind: (1) Maintenance of 

 low temperature; (2) protection from frost; (3) avoidance of a wet and stagnant 

 atmosphere; (4) protection from heating; (5) protection from change of temperature. 



The amount of protection from frost varies with the severity of the climate. 

 In British Columbia, the Lower Mainland, and Island regions the same construction 

 as demanded in the Interior regions will not be required. 



In the early fall and spring the storage-house is kept cool by admitting the cool 

 night air and by closing the building during the day. 



Types of Storage-places. A cool, well-ventilated cellar or root-house is recom- 

 mended for storage of potatoes. If there is not good ventilation, slats can be nailed 

 a little apart about 5 or 6 inches from the wall. A false floor with cracks between 

 the boards can be put 6 inches above the permanent floor. This allows the air to 

 circulate in and around the pile. If the pile is very large, slatted ventilators can 

 be placed here and there from top to bottom. The temperature should be as low 

 as possible without freezing, and at the same time the air should be as dry as 

 possible. 



Storage-pit. (Fig. 30.) In sections of British Columbia the potatoes are often 

 pitted. It is essential to have good drainage, and this may be found on a ridge or 

 slope having a loose or gravelly subsoil. The site must be well protected in order 

 to prevent it being exposed to prevailing winds, which penetrate the soil with 

 extreme cold during the winter. There is just as much danger from loss in this 

 case as there is if the site is such as will warm up rapidly with a thaw, then freeze 

 again. 



Pits should be dug about 12 to 18 inches below the surface. The depth depends 

 upon the moisture in the soil ; therefore a deeper pit can be made in dry places. 

 A convenient size for a pit is 8 by 18 feet. The tubers should be placed to a depth 

 of from 3 to 4 feet. A layer of straw should be placed in the bottom of the pit; 

 also a layer of straw should be placed over the potatoes to a depth of 6 to 8 inches ; 

 then as the weather grows colder soil is thrown over this to prevent freezing. This 

 should be done gradually as winter advances. The depth of the soil-covering varies 

 with the temperature. Districts having winter temperatures as low as zero will 

 need over a foot of soil, with a greater depth, especially at the base, as the 

 temperature goes below this mark. 



Pits demand ventilation to keep the vegetables from rotting, and this is done 

 by leaving holes at intervals of 6 to 8 feet where tufts of straw are inserted. 



