18 OCTOBER
The tractor of neighbour Gillet tips all the Markies potatoes into a huge yellow bin with Climax emblazoned across its side. Clumps of loam, dead foliage and undersized potatoes fall through a grid and are borne away by a side-conveyor. Two men then sort them by hand. The filler keeps piling potatoes onto the ever-growing mountain. It hasn't been a bad harvest, says Farmer Coenegrachts, but not one of the best either. Too much rain in the past few weeks. The harvester has burrowed in the earth for more potatoes and has filled another fifteen-ton tipper. A new tractor drives alongside. Instructions for distributing the load are passed on in sign language from the cabin. A three-man crew drive back and forth. Another few hours and the job is done.