I3I4 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 



foot deep. Line the bottom of the pit with straw and carefully place 

 the vegetables in a heap on the straw, apply a layer of leaves and straw 

 to protect the vegetables and to make their removal easier, then add 



soil to a depth of four to eight 



inches. A wisp of straw may 

 be set at intervals in the peak 

 for ventilation. Great care 

 must be taken early in the 

 season not to cover the vege- 

 tables too closely, as speedy 

 decay will result from heating 

 and sweating. As the weather 

 becomes severe, manure may 

 protection. 





Fig. 93. 



-The storage trench 



be piled on to give additional 



When several vegetables are to be stored, or when they are to be removed 

 at different times during the winter, it is well to make the pit very long 

 and narrow. Earth partitions may then be built in as the work progresses. 

 The different compartments may be marked with stakes. One compart- 

 ment can be opened without disturbing the others. 



TREATMENT OF MATERIAL 



Several of our best storage crops require special treatment and special 

 precautions in their storage. The root crops are very simple in their 

 requirements. Tops should be removed, and the crops may be stored 

 by any of the general methods described. 



Cabbage also may be handled by any of the plans described. Cabbage 

 heads should not be overmature and should remain in the garden as long 

 as there is no serious danger of severe freezing. For storage they should be 

 cut near the ground, with most of the leaves about them. When a quantity 

 of cabbage is to be stored, the trench may be made by throwing furrows 

 on both sides and finishing with the shovel. The heads are then laid 

 in order, perhaps two or three wide and two deep. The plow may be 

 used to begin the covering, but the work should be completed by hand. 

 If the heads are not mature at storing time, lift them, with the roots, and 

 place them in a trench, roots down, as close as they will stand. Pack a 

 little sand about them as the work goes on. In this way they will 

 continue growth and become thoroughly solid. Danish Ball Head is best 

 for winter storage under most New York conditions. 



Celery should be hfted entire and set erect in trenches or pits, bringing 

 loose soil about the roots. In storing this crop, great care must be taken 

 to avoid covering too heavily at first. Giant Pascal and Winter Queen 

 are good sorts for winter use. 



