If potatoes, how much soever frosted, be only carefully excluded from
the atmospheric air, and the pit not opened until some time after the
frost has entirely subsided, they will be found not to have sustained
the slightest injury. This is on account of their not having been
exposed to a sudden change, and thawing gradually.
A person inspecting his potato heap, which had been covered with turf,
found them so frozen, that, on being moved, they rattled like stones: he
deemed them irrecoverably lost, and, replacing the turf, left them, as
he thought, to their fate. He was not less surprised than pleased, a
considerable time afterwards, when he discovered that his potatoes,
which he had given up for lost, had not suffered the least detriment,
but were, in all respects, remarkably fine, except a few near the spot
which had been uncovered. If farmers keep their heaps covered till the
frost entirely disappears, they will find their patience amply rewarded.
* * * * *
~London.~