POTATO. 



255 



conanue to grow larger and better afler the tops have at- 

 tained their full growth. The Hon. 0. Fiske, of Worces- 

 ter, in an address to the Worcester Agricultural Society, 

 says, " Nature has not accomplished its maturation at the 

 period when the vines decay, and the farmer believes it to 

 be ripe. It seems probable that the earth, by some un- 

 known process, perfects its qualities after it has attained its 

 growth. That potatoes, which have remained the whole 

 season in the earth are more farinaceous, has been ascer- 

 tained." It may be stated, as a general rule, that potatoes 

 succeed best when planted early and dug late. But it is 

 most advisable to harvest them before the occurrence of 

 those soaking rains, w^hich generally precede the setting in 

 of winter. 



A mode of taking part of a crop is mentioned : — " Hav- 

 ing ascertained that some of the tubers have attained an 

 eatable size, go along the rows, and loosen the earth about 

 each plant with a blunt stick, taking two or three of the 

 largest tubers from each, and returning the earth carefully." 



The most expeditious way of gathering a potato crop is, 

 first to run furrows on each side of the rows, and then a 

 deep one in the middle, which turns up most of the roots 

 to the surface, for the purpose of picking up by hand. In 

 this way, however, we should apprehend some waste, and 

 should not advise it, except where potatoes are plenty, and 

 labour scarce. A hoe with prongs, such as is sold at J. R. 

 Newell's Agricultural Establishment, No. 52 North Market 

 street, Boston, is, probably, the best implement for gather- 

 ing potatoes. 



Securing the crop, — Mr. Buel, of Albany, says, " There 

 are many erroneous notions, in regard to the culture and 

 treatment of the potato, which every class in society have 

 an interest in exploding, as the root has become a necessa- 

 ry food for every family." These errors consist in supposing 

 " 1st. That potatoes should be grown on a dry, warm soil. 

 2d. That they should be dried in the sun, or washed, to 

 render them pleasant to the eye. 3d. That they should be 

 kept warm and dry during winter, to fit them for culinary 

 uses. 4th. That they should be of large size." In con- 

 tradiction to these popular opinions, he asserts, " First^ that 

 the best potatoes are o;rown upon cold, moist, but porous 

 and rich soils. Second^ that it were better the sun never 

 should shine upon them — that they should be housed with 

 all the dirt that adheres to them — that it is beneficial to add 

 more dirt in the bin or cask, to exclude external air as 



