LESSONS ON POTATOES FOR RURAL SCHOOLS. 7 
1. The time to dig will vary with market conditions and other 
factors. They should be dug as soon as vines die, earlier if mature. 
2. Small areas may be dug by hand, with hooks or potato forks. 
All large acreages are now dug by machinery. 
3. Make field trials on the given soil before adopting any digger. 
Unless the field has been kept very clean it will pay to mow, rake, and 
burn all weeds before digging. Weeds and tops tend to clog digger. 
4. After digging, let tubers lie on ground long enough for dirt 
to dry out, also to toughen the skin against bruising. 
5. Careful handling pays at every stage. Bruised or cut potatoes 
decay readily and every tuber lost reduces the profits. Hardening 
process must not be prolonged to the extent of sunburn (especial care 
with some varieties). 
6. Sorter may be used in field if weather permits. Potatoes sold 
in field weigh more than stored potatoes. 
7. The careful sorting and grading of potatoes is quite as impor- 
tant as the grading of fruits. 
Practical exercises. — Discuss the methods of harvesting potatoes in 
this district and elsewhere. Arrange for the class to take a field trip 
to observe the methods of harvesting and sorting potatoes at one of 
the most approved and successful potato farms in the district. Dis- 
cuss methods of sorting. Need of keeping varieties separate Sorting 
by sizes. Keeping out diseased potatoes. Find out what the farm- 
ers are doing with culls. If potato-digging machinery is used, make 
a study of the different machines with a view of finding out which 
one is best adapted to the soils of this section. Visit a dealer 
and inspect the machines he carries in stock. What is the common 
method of sorting potatoes? What sorting machines are used? 
What type seems to be the best adapted for its work? Note the 
methods of handling the crop, such as packing and hauling. 
Correlations. — Arithmetic: Use local yields and prices and make 
problems suited to advancement of the class. Obtain State records 
of potato crop and the market price for further problems. 
Language : Utilize for written or oral exercises such topics as : "A 
trip to observe potato harvesting," " How to sort potatoes," " Potato- 
harvesting machinery." 
LESSON III. 
Subject. — Marketing potatoes. 
Problem. — To discover the best farm methods of marketing potatoes 
in order that they will bring the highest market price and reach 
consumer in first-class condition. 
Sources of information. — Farmers' Bulletins 365 and 753 ; Office of 
Secretary, Circular 48; Document, Markets, 17; publications from 
State college of agriculture ; articles in farm papers. 
