222 The Potato Crops 



to 12 inches long. The leaves are removed, except at the 

 tip, and the cutting is buried directly in the soil where it 

 is to grow permanently, being laid in a nearly horizontal 

 position, with only an inch or so of the tip projecting. 

 Cuttings are very desirable to avoid the spread of tuber 

 diseases. " Seed " selection is also very important in eon- 

 trolling diseases. 



Harvesting and storing. 



Immediately after the. first frost the potatoes are gath- 

 ered. A common method is to clear away the vines and 



120. Banks or pits of sweet potatoes. 



then to plow up the potatoes with a " hill sweep " (3- 

 winged furrowing-plow. Special diggers are on the mar- 

 ket. Potatoes are gathered into small piles, where they 

 remain uiltil removed from the field. 



The common method of storing is to bank in a cone- 

 shaped pile. This pile is then covered with hay, and this 

 is thatched with cornstalks, or covered shingle-like with 



