Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-07-25
i. i !. + i. !. !. !. i. i. i. i. i. j.
i. ROOT CROPS !.
.f FOR WINTER USE. j.
BY +. +. Rockwell.
+ !. !. !. i j. ]. Il !. !. ]. I

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Without doubt the garden oppor-
tunity most neglected in this country
is the, growing of root crops for win
ter use. With the room and the time
both available, we fall tc plant easily
grown vegetables which would help
fill the cellar or store room with
things that mean not only better
and more healthful living in winter,
but will help cut down the cost of
table supplies most materially.
One Of the Main Reasons.
why the various root crops, such as
beets, carrots, ruta bagaS and tur-
nips, are not more generally grown in
! this country is that as q. rule they are
planted for winter use much too
early. The result, even If big crop
Is obtained, is supply of roots that
by digging time have become so old,
tough and pithy that no amount of
| cooking will make them palatable.
Consequently, after they have been
served once or twice, they fall into
deserved disfayor.
Root crops Of all kinds for winter
use should be planted late enough to
reach good size without fully matur-
ing. They will then be of superior
quality, comparing favorably, If prop
erly stored, with fresh summer roots
from the garden. Moreover, they will
keep very much better than old, over
grown roots
When to Plant.
The reasons why late planted roots
are superior in quality are that they
usually strike more favorable Pc
riod for continuous rapid growth,
which always means better table
qualities; and because it is the ma
ture of these vegetables to develop,
as they reach full maturity, q tough,
fibrous interior growth Of tissue de-
signed to help support the tall seed
stalk which Is to be thrown up. When
they reach this stage-as they too
often are allowed to do before being
stored for winter-they are Of little
use for the table.
The root crop vegetables most val
liable for winter use are: Beets, car
rots, turnips and ruta-bagas.- Any of
these, If planted now, will attain good
size by the time for storing, as they
continue to grow until killing frosts,
making the most rapid development
during the moist weather and cool
nights Of late summer and early fall.
Ruta-bagas take longer to develop
than any of the others, and should be
planted at once. Beets and carrots
may be planted any time up to the
first part of August, and turnips until
the middle OF August, if early varie-
ties are used.
Even parsnips and satisfy, planted
now, in the latitude of Philadelphia
! or further South, will make good
sized roots, Of the very finest quality,
before hard freezing weather. AS
both these vegetables are absolutely
hardy, they may be left in the
ground to grow as late as they will,
and to be used again in the spring as
soon as the ground thaws out. Late
paintings are especially good for the
latter purpose, as they will not be
pithy and throw up seed-stalks early
In the spring, as plants started last
April or May will do. Even If you
have plenty of parsnip and satisfy, or
"oyster plant" growing now for your
fall and winter use, make a generous
planting now for supply for next
spring. BY making two paintings a
year, one in spring. and another in
midsummer, these delicious vegeta-
bles may be had in the best of condi-
tton practically all the year around.
Have Plenty of Nitrogen for
Quick Growth.
Any spot in the garden will do for
these late sowings Of root crops, pro-
vided it was we'll enriched in the
spring, But to make as sure as pos
sible OF the best results, top-dress the
parts to be planted with fine bone, or
tankage, or dried blood, Cor a mix
ture Of all three), when spading up
and preparing the soil for planting.
Be sure to thin out the Seeding
plants as soon as they are large
enough. Failure to get the best re-
suits with root crops is very often
due to neglect In this one respect.