The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-09-28
now 70 STORE ROOT
CROPS FOR WINTER

4, Common garden root crops may be
divided into two classes, according ia
whether or not they are injured by
freezing. Parsnips and satisfy, not be-
ing injured by freezing, may be left
in the ground over winter. However,
a sufficient supply of these crops
should be stored where it a be read
lily obtained while the ground is
frozen. Beets, carrots and turnips,
and also kohl rabi, must be stored out
of reach of frost.
Roots for storing should generally
be dug as late in the fall as possible,
but before the ground begins to freeze
Wit hthe exception of beets, the tops
should be cut close to the crown of
the root. Beets bleed easily, and the
tops should not be cut closer than
within one inch of the crown. The
state of maturity of the different
crops can best be told by experience.
Very small carrots are stored in sand
or dirt with success. The greatest
trouble is probably experienced with
beets rotting or shrivelling. Speci-
mems two and one-half to three inch
es in dimater should keep well. Tur-
nips and kohl rabi should be about
this size. Since parsnips and satisfy
are planted early in the spring, the
roots are generally mature enough for
storing.
Roots may be stored in cellars
which fill the required conditions. A
temperature of 80 to SO degrees is
best for root crops, and should be
kept as uniform as possible. 1t
should not fluctuate greatly Or rap
idly. The atmosphere should be moist,
not dry. Ventilation should be pro-
vided, as it assists materially in on
trolling temperatures, and is neces-
sary to keep the roots in the best con-
dition.. In the ~severest weather very
little ventilation is required but that
little should be given. Roots may be
kept from three to four months longer
if stored the same as potatoes, but to
keep them in the best condition they
should be packed in moist. sand or in
any good mellow garden soil This can
be done by alternating layers of soil
with layers of roots. The top layer
of dirt should be several inches thick
to prevent drying out. The roots may
be piled on the floor of the cellar or
put into a box and covered with dirt.
Outdoor pits are used either for
storing roots over winter or for tenn
porary storage in the fall. When
used for winter storage it is a little
difficult at times to secure supplies as
wanted. However, by taking advant-
age of the milder weather to open
the pit and secure a sufficient supply
to last several days, n can usually
avoid difficulty.
For the outdoor pit, a we'll drained
spot should be selected. In a rectangu-
lar or circular ares six or eight feet
across, the ground should be followed
out six to twelve inches deep. Pits
may be made any desired length, but
they should not be over six to eight
feet across. A layer of clean dry
straw should be placed on the bottom
Of the excavation. The roots are
poured on top of the straw until a
if circular, pile is built up
With the lower outer edge wen with
he outer line of the excavation. Cover
With clean dry straw to a depth of
Xix inches when we'll pressed AS the
weather becomes cooler, throw on
inches of dirt and before the
yound freezes increase the dirt COW
ering to ten to twelve inches. If the
roots are covered to the full depth
At first, there is danger of heating
and rotting. When this covering has
frozen to a depth of two " three
a further covering of twelve
inches of straw or leaves ear be ap-
piled or enough should be added to
keep the frost from injuring the roots.
Parsnips and satisfy need not be COW
cred SO deep.
When dirt is first applied, allow
some straw to project up through the
dirt at the top Of the pile in order to
ventilation. This can be
over during the severest wea-
ther. In the case of large pits it may
be well to put in a square ventilating
flue made of six-inch boards. This
be placed in the center of the
and should extend we'll down
among the roots. Roots may be OBJ
in the side of the pit. The hole can
tanned in the water by cutting a hole
be cased in with wood to prevent it's
becoming too large. The opening
should be well protected to keep the
frost out of the pit. A trench should
be made around and leading away
from the pit to prevent water from
draining into it.-C. C. Starring, as
assistant agriculturist, Montana, Ext
pertinent Station.
CARE OF SEED CORN
Tho Samo dav that sood corn iS