The Grange advance., 1874-10-21
Gathering and Storing Vegetables.

Gathering and Storing Vegetables.
There is far less attention paid to the
gathering and storipgE Of vegetables
than to their production, although these
are quite as Important The great bulk
OF our root crops are designed for use
in winter, and the more perfect their
preservation the more healthful will
they prove to man or beast. In the
Northern States vegetables must be pro-
tected from frosts, and in warm climates
from too much heat and moisture con-
sequently considerable care is required
in both cases, the advantages and dis.
advantages in the various climates and
localities being about equal. There are
probably no greater losses in the cold
est localities from frost than IN the
warmer, because where there is little
danger from cold, less care is given in
protection, and temperature a few de-
grees lower than usual frequently proves
disasterous.
The first and most valuable root crop
gathered for winter is the potato, and in
mild climates considerable care is re-
quired to preserve this tuber in good
condition until cool weather. If allow
ed to remain in the earth long after
ripening there is danger of what is
termed second growth, especially if
the weather should be moist and warm
therefore the safest plan is to dig as
soon as it is fully ripe. But the digging
should be done in dry weather, and the
tubers allowed to remain spread upon
the ground for two or three hours be-
fore picking them up. When this is
done, assortin- Of the large from the
small may be done in half the time re-
quired after they are put away in the
cellar. We have seen many a farmer
dig his entire crop Of potatoes and
dump all into heap into the cellar,
or bury them in the open field, without
making any selection.
Of course this necessitatesa complete
overhaaling if the potatoes are to be
sent to market, or if they are to be used
at home, all of which is needless waste
Of time. While scattered over the
ground in the field the asserting may be
done much better, and almost as rapid
ly as If all we're put into the same bask-
ct. Then again many make great
mistake in storing in l.rge, deep bins,
or 'barying in large heaps in the ground.
To Preserve the good qualities Of pota-
toes they must be kept dry and cool, no
matter how or where stored. IF put in
cellars, free ventilation without admit
ting light must be given, and as late in
the fall as it will do without danger of
freezing. In burying IN the ground
vent.hole should be |oft ->t the top of
sa the heap until severe 'Fsatttee "ppro'eh-
Turnips and beets .re still more Diff
cult to keep in good condition through
winter than potatoes; but with these a
low temperature is Of Noore importance
thea dryness, although the latter is de-
sirable to certain degree. These roots
are, however, usually gathered so late in
the season that there is less danger of
injury from heat until large quantity
are put together if this is done the
center Of the heap is pretty certain to
be injured by heating, even when
those on the outside were freezing
Turnips in particular are constantly
giving of heat and moisture, and it is
never safe to store them in large heaps
or bins. Usually there is danger of in
jury ffcm frost than from heat, which
will either cause them to decay or be-
come soft and spongy.
Carrots are not difficult to preserve
but should be kept as cool as possible
without actually freezing. They should
be gathered and topped before the
crows have been frozen, and then dried
sufficiently 10 cause all the dirt to fall
of before storing.
ParsniPeare usually left in the ground |
through winter and dug in spring, as |
freezing does not appear to injure |
them but if wanted to ase during the |
winter the roots may be dug up in the |
fall aud packed away in moss, leaves or |
any similar material, and then placed
In = cool cellar or Clubhouse where
they will not get too dry. A portion of
the crop may b dug in the fall and the
remainder Left in the ground. Pars-
nips that are left out to be frozen du.-
ing winter are usually considered better
than those dug in the fall. The frost
appears to sweeten as veil as to make
than, ,ooro <nn1or -E /