Potatoes in the South 



307 



Fig. 85. 



A potato tuber is 

 eyes or buds. 



a stem with 



with a purpose. For an early American inquiry into this disease, 

 see Charles P. Bosson, "Observations on the Potato, and a Remedy 

 for the Potato Plague," Bos- 

 ton, 18i6. 



On keeping potatoes in 

 the South from the spring 

 crop to the fall crop, McKay 

 makes the following discus- 

 sion (in Bull. 54, Miss. Exp. 

 Station) : " If exposed to the 

 hot sun a few hours Irish 

 potatoes will become blis- 

 tered. To prevent this, dig 

 on cloudy days or else ar- 

 range to remove to a shady 

 place or cover in some way 

 shortly after they are dug. Several methods of keeping potatoes 

 during the hot summer months are practiced, and with varying 

 success. Upon examination it will be found that, as a rule, 



those left in the field, scattered 

 through the soil, keep better than 

 those that are carefully housed. 

 Taking this lesson from nature, we 

 have tried the method of bedding 

 the potatoes in the field, somewhat 

 after the usual plan of bedding sweet 

 potatoes for growing slips, and with 

 good success. We are careful to see 

 that the potatoes are covered to the 

 depth of 6 or 7 inches with dirt, and 

 that the bed is well drained. We 

 have practiced the same method of 

 bedding the potatoes in the shade 

 of spreading trees, and on the cellar 

 floor. A cool, shady situation is bet- 

 Pig. 86. A potato placed in a jar ^^^^ the open field. We have 

 of water will throw out shoots, 



The food is in the potato. had much better success with pota- 



