HARVESTING AND STORING SWEET POTATOES. 81 



tip as the weather gets colder, until they are covered from 

 ten. to twelve inches deep. In all cases cover with dry 

 earth. I differ with those who want straw or leaves un- 

 der potatoes ; I want them on the ground, where they 

 will keep plump and sound, and the protection from frost 

 will be equally good. 



tc When they are bulked or pitted out of doors they 

 should be on an elevated place, or throw up the earth so 

 that water will not stand about them. Place the potatoes 

 on the naked ground — about thirty or forty bushels in a 

 "bulk ; set up corn stalks or similar material around them ; 

 then spread some dry grass or leaves on top, and bank 

 up enough soil to this covering to hold it on. Let them 

 stand that way till the weather begins to get cool ; then 

 commence to cover deeper. When the weather becomes 

 very cold they should be covered with soil to the depth 

 of at least twelve or fifteen inches, but in warmer weather 

 they should have a little air at the top. In all cases have 

 them well sheltered ; a very small leak will ruin a bulk 

 of potatoes. This is my experience of twenty years in 

 Texas." 



We endorse most of the above directions. Doubtless, 

 for the climate of Texas, the plan of Mr. Wallace works 

 well. Perhaps in colder regions deeper covering and pro- 

 tection from extreme cold would be necessary. It is not 

 probable that Mr. Wallace attaches any importance to 

 the " sign" of the moon, but gives the " full moon " in 

 October as a suitable average time for his locality. 



It is always best to dig sweet potatoes before the frost 

 kills the vines. Select, if possible, a dry time for this 

 work, and, in storing for home use or for market, we re- 

 peat, be sure the potatoes are as free from moisture as 

 possible. No vegetable will rot sooner from dampness 

 or wet than the sweet potato. Attend to this ; secure 

 them from freezing and they are generally safe. 



H. M. Minster gives the following directions for keep- 



