SOLON ROBINSON, 1850 429 



Be careful the roots are dry and sound when put away, 

 and you may be assured they will keep in fine condition. 



Storing Common Potatoes, by the same rules, will be 

 found most effectual. If you ventilate the heap, as above 

 directed, you need have no fear of covering it too warm 

 at first. 



Storing Stveet Potatoes. — These are very difficult to 

 keep, in all places, particularly in freezing climates. 

 They must be kept very dry and warm. And yet not too 

 warm. A very good plan is practised by Dr. Philips, of 

 Mississippi, first, by laying down a bed of cornstalks sev- 

 eral inches thick, which serves as an underdrain and ven- 

 tilator, leading from the sides to the one in the centre. 

 The outside, he also covers with cornstalks and a very 

 little earth, and the whole protected with a temporary 

 roof. It is a very cheap, and with him, a very effective 

 way of preserving this most valuable edible root for all 

 the southern portion of the United States. 



Mr. DeLaigle, of Augusta, Georgia, raises from 3,000 

 to 5,000 bushels of sweet potatoes every year. A very 

 common crop with him is 300 bushels per acre. His 

 method of preserving them is in an immense roothouse, 

 made of bricks, partly below the surface, in which the 

 roots are stored with pine straw, which is one of the best 

 absorbents of moisture he could use, and serves to keep 

 the potatoes free from the dampness so natural to them. 



Storing Beets and Carrots. — These roots require much 

 more careful handling than turnips and potatoes, but 

 with proper attention, may be put up and kept in the 

 same way. Beets are often injured in cutting off the 

 tops. They must not be cut too close, if you would keep 

 them sound through the winter. Do not try to beat off 

 the dirt adhering to the small rootlets. Let it dry and 

 then adhere as much as will. To keep these delicious 

 roots fresh and sweet for family use, pack them in dry 

 sand, in a cool, airy cellar, but not cold enough to 

 freeze. S. R. 



