CHAPTER X 

 HARVESTING AND STORAGE 



The harvesting and transportation of sweet potatoes 

 to local and northern markets begins in August in the 

 extreme southern section of the potato area. Along the 

 Gulf, many potatoes are put on the market in the 

 latter part of July. This is not a good practice, how- 

 ever, and is only due to the fancy prices that they com- 

 mand at this time. The yield, as a rule, is light at this 

 sieason, as the potatoes have not attained their growth, 

 and a considerable loss in weight results. The main 

 supply of the crop for home and commercial purposes 

 is harvested late in the fall, the usual time being about 

 the first frost. When the potatoes are thoroughly 

 matured, a slight yellowish tinge on the leaves and the 

 absence of any new growth is noticeable. Another 

 means which many growers find very reliable is to 

 break a tuber in two ; if ripe the broken part dries after 

 a few minutes' exposure ; if still green and in a grow- 

 ing state, the broken part remains milky and sticky. 



While the sweet potato vines usually are very luxu- 

 riant, the foliage is tender and easily injured by frost. 

 Light frost, however, causes very little injury, but a 

 heavy frost or a light freeze may result in considerable 

 damage, if the vines are not cut away immediately. 

 This latter practice is to prevent the frost-injured sap 



from passing down to the tuber. In certain seasons 



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