LEADING VEGETABLE CROPS 



205 



one pint to 30 gallons of water. A more effective 

 method of treating potatoes held for seed in large 

 quantities and in practically air-tight storage houses 

 is by fumigation with formaldehyde gas. In gen- 

 erating the gas 23 ounces of potassium permanga- 

 nate and three pints of formaldehyde should be allowed 

 for each 1,000 cubic feet of space. The potassium 

 permanganate is placed in shallow pans at various 

 points, in the storage and the required quantity of 

 formaldehyde poured in. The building should be 

 quickly vacated after 

 these materials are 

 placed together and 

 kppt tightly closed for 

 twenty- four hours, when 

 it may be opened, thor- 

 oughly ventilated and 

 the potatoes taken out 

 as desired. 



Potatoes are exten- 

 sively planted both by 

 hand and by machinery. 

 Hand planting is uni- 

 versal in small areas, 

 where the expense of 

 the machine planters 

 would not be justified. 

 In the large areas the 

 machine planters are to 

 be preferred, not only because the planting will be 

 done more economically, but will generally be done 

 better. It is especially important that the pieces be 

 cut uniform in size and the required number of eyes 

 in each piece secured. When the potatoes have 

 been dropped by hand for the very early crop, it 

 is a good practice to cover with the plow; .fluit§ 



POTATO PLANT SHOWING TUBERS 

 AND ROOTS 



