Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-08
Gathering and Storing Vegetables.

THERE is far less attention paid to the
gathering and storing 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 pres
ervation the more hcalthful will they
prove to man or beast. In the Northern
States vegetables must be protected from
frosts, and in warm climates from too
much heat and moisture; consequently
considerable care is required in both
cases, the advantages and disadvantages
in the various climates and localities be-
ing about equal. There are probably no
greater losses in the coolest 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 degrees lower than
usual frequently proves disastrous.
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 con-
dtion until cool weather. If allowed to
remain in the earth long after ripening
there is danger of what is termed sec
ond 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 Tor two
or three hours before picking them up.
When this is done, asserting OF the large
from the small may be done in half the
time required after they are put away in
the cellar. We have seen many farmer
dig his entire crop of potatoes and dump all
into heap in the cellar, or bury them In
the open field, without making any Sc
lection. Of course this necessitates
a complete overhauling if the potatoes
are to be sent to market, or If they are TO
be used at home, all of which is need
less waste of time. While scattered
over the ground in the field the asserting
may be done much better, and almost az
rapidly as If all were put into the same
basket. Then again, many make a great
mistake in storing in large, deep bins, or
burying 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. III 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
venthole should be left at the top of the
heap until severe weather approaches:
Turnips and beets are still more diff
cult to keep in good condition through
winter than potatoes; but with these a
low temperature is of more Importance
than dryaess, although the latter is de-
sirable 70 q certain degree. These roots
are, however, usually gathered 80 late ia
the season that there is less danger OF
injury from heat, unless large quantity
are put together; if this is done the cen
ter Of the heap is pretty certain to De in
jured by heating, even when those on the
outside are freezing Turnips in partic,,
ular are constantly giving of heat and
moisture, and it is never safe to store
them in large heaps or bins. Usually
there is less danger of injury from frost
than from heat, which will either cause