The photo above (photographer unknown) is showing the way that harvesting was done in the past. It is a potato digger and the man with the red hat is carrying a potato basket which was used to put the potatoes in to empty into the potato barrel. A very simple, backbreaking job. Once the barrel was filled, you put your tag on and went on to the next one. The barrels were hoisted onto the potato truck with a hoist and manpower. The size of the sections of potatoes to be pick by individuals or families was determined by the farmer or the foreman and he would place flags at the beginning and end of each section. The Hermal Martin family of St. Francis continue to harvest in this manner. It is interesting to participate in or to just watch.
We also do "gleaning" of potatoes, which is, when allowed by the farmer, people going into the fields and picking whatever is left after the harvest of that field. I have done this myself and loved it. I preferred the "b" size which are very small and today are being sold on the market as a specialty item.
This photo (photographer unknown) is of Dennis and Mitch Pelletier of G.B. and D. Farms in St. John Plt.. They are cultivating potatoes in The Valley. Their method of farming is modern with a winrower which makes the rows and digs the potatoes, then the harvester comes along and picks the potatoes up. From there the potatoes are quickly sorted by women (most of the time) on the harvester, eliminating rocks, et al., then they are conveyed from the harvester to the potatoe truck which is following along beside (slightly ahead) the harvester. Whoever is driving the harvester must be very concious of everything going on around him. This is a very stressful job.
I hope you have enjoyed my little description of potatoe harvesting. Good night and God Bless.
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