Irish Potatoes. 127- 



have appeared, then take the sweep and raise the furrow 

 sufficiently to cover any small grass or weeds that may 

 appear in the row. This method of planting and cultiva- 

 ting does away with any necessity for hoeing, and is to he 

 recommended on that account. However, its great ad- 

 vantage is in planting the potatoes at shallow depth and in 

 the insurance of a good stand under any condition. 

 Harvesting. 



After the potatoes have attained their growth and the 

 vines have become somewhat yellow, it is then time to har- 

 vest. A further test of the potatoes might also be made 

 by digging a few potatoes, and if the skin does not slip 

 easily, it is an indication that the potatoes are matured 

 and ready to dig. 



Where they are planted or sufficient scale to justify the 

 expense, one is advisable in buying an improved two-horse 

 potato digger, or it would be economical for several of the 

 neighbors to club together and buy one of these instru- 

 ments, as the work is done much more cheaply and satis- 

 factorily. 



The potatoes after having been dug are allowed to re- 

 main in the sunshine just long enough to dry off what soil 

 clings to the potato; then they are taken up and graded 

 and packed in a barrel made for the purpose. Those run- 

 ning two and one-half (2%) inches and upwards in diam- 

 eter, which have not been cut in digging and are free from 

 scab, are to be classed as No. I's. The smaller potatoes, 

 provided they are sufficiently large for table use, are to 1)p 

 graded to themselves and classed as No. 2's. The bal- 

 ance of the crop may be kept for fall planting, being 

 stored away in some cool place and used in the fall. 



