Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-09-27

roof. This gives frost-proof storage in
the winter, and which is heat-proof in
the summer. 1t will thus, if thoroughly
cleaned and sweetened, make an excel
lent milk house in the hot weather. Such
root-cayes NAV be made in different
parts Of the farm, wherever they may be
needed, and as no floor but the bare
earth is used, they are not likely TO har-
Dor vermin.
The field pit is still cheaper, but
wholly temporary, protection for roots.
1t is made in the field where the roots
are gathered. The basis is long trench
followed out with the pillow or scraper
upon high and dry location. The
roots, dry and clean, are heaped in the
trench about six feet wide and four and
half feet high. They are covered
with straw, leaves, or coarse hay; pine
or hemlock brush will answer in place
of these, where it can be more readily
procured. The covering is made at
least six inches thick. Earth is thrown
on to this several inches thick, to within
a foot Of the top, which is left open I'M
til the heap has undergone the usual
fermentation and heating, during which
considerable moisture escapes. If
closed before this, the whole mass would
heat, rot, and purify. After sufficient
time the top is covered, leaving space
Of one foot uncovered at each six feet
in length of the pit and on the
extreme ridge, for the purpose ofnecessa-
nv ventilation. The final covering may
rot he needed until December, or, ut
least, not until severe frosts take place.
More substantial root-houses are made
of masonry. with coarse, rough stone,
arched and covered with earth, but as
these structures are not always required
in the same place, unless a permanent
central location is chosen, the more
rudely constructed ones, or the pits, are
to be preferred. The chief points to be
observed are dryness of the site, perfect
drainage, and absence of danger from
flooding, walls and roof impenetrable
by the severest and longest continued
frosts, and good ventilation. The last
is necessary to carry off the moisture
which is always rising from the heat en-
gendered by the collection of large
quantities of vegetables in masses TIE
addition of dry lime scattered over the
heap absorbs considerable quantity of
this, and its antiseptic qualities add to
its useful effect. In storing potatoes, a
good busting of lime over each layer of
a foot in depth is always advisable.
The roots should he ripe, sound and
dry when stored, otherwise decomposi-
ton begins in places, and quickly
spreads through the mass. 1t is safe to
put few flour barrels, having holes
knocked in the side, or some pieces of
rails tied in bundles, here and there
through the mass of roots. This pro-
vides easy escape for the moisture and
heat from the roots, and keeps them dry
and sound. In pitting, the bundles of
rails will be found Of the greatest use,
and they should each connect with the
ventilator, or project from the top and
form the ventilator The projecting
ends may be capped with bundle of
straw to exclude rain or snow.
In opening a pit for use the end is
taken down and a sufficient quantity,
100 bushels perhaps, is taken out at one
time. This work should be done on a
dry, windy day, and when the tempera-
ture is not low enough to injure the roots.
The open end may be closed with straw,
well packed, and 4 few boards may be
propped up against the straw, doubled
over the joints, and with some bags or
newspapers between them to exclude the
wind. This is more readily done than
returning the frozen, lumpy soil, and
will make safer covering.-N. Y. Times.
A sentimental young lady says:
"0h. the bonnets of NV girlhood, the