94 CULTURE OF CELERIAC 



etc., when fresh growths commence in the spring, a 

 deterioration will certainly ensue, if the roots be left in 

 the ground ; so they must not be left too long, but be 

 packed away in a very cool place in sand or sandy soil. 

 'Some people recommend coal ashes, but I do not use 

 them for roots of any kind. Dry leaf mould I prefer to 

 ashes, but sand is best of all. The secret of keeping 

 such things in order to lengthen the season is to exclude 

 heat and air. 



I remember that once by accident I had a cart-load 

 of white field turnips put down in a heap early in the 

 winter. The next day some excavations were made, 

 and for convenience several tons of soil were thrown 

 on the turnips. I discovered this when too late, so I 

 had more turnips brought from the field to replace them. 

 In the following April this soil was carted away, and 

 when we came upon the buried turnips they were fresh, 

 firm, and as good as when carted there, whereas all in 

 the fields were grown out and spongy. This taught me 

 a lesson in preserving roots. I saw that when the air 

 was excluded not the least growth was made by roots 

 or tops. I do not say that so large bulks should be 

 always thus covered, yet such might be advisable for 

 all I know to the contrary. Since then I have in like 

 manner preserved beet, celeriac, and such like roots till 

 new ones are wanted. 



