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School: Tyrrellspass (2) (roll number 13743)

Location:
Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath
Teacher:
Mrs Payne
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0731, Page 221

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0731, Page 221

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  1. XML School: Tyrrellspass (2)
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  3. XML “Digging Out the Potatoes”

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  1. Digging Out the Potatoes (continued)

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    (continued from previous page)
    Then the pickers come on & lift the potatoes. This is called "Scrawbing".
    In Kings County where the land is mostly used for potato growing the people use a machine called a digger or spuddler. It is drawn by twp horses that is if it used on land free from stones for if the forks of the machine hit, the machine the grains of the forks would be broken. This machine would cost from twenty to thirty pounds. Of course in Westmeath where they do little tilling the people get these machines for hire& of course the farmer does his work as quickly as he can.
    When the potatoes are out, the farmer sorts them the black potatoes in one section the "Poreens" in another & the good ones in another. Then they are covered with straw & bog scraws to keep the frost out from them.
    Elizabeth Payne Age 12
    Tyrrellspass
    Co. Westmeath 1st.12.38
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. agriculture (~2,659)
          1. potatoes (~2,701)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Elizabeth Payne
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    12
    Address
    Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath