378 VEGETABLE FORCING 



inches wide. The roots are planted as explained, and 

 covered with sand in the usual manner. Heat is provided 

 by covering the trench with 2 feet of hot horse manure, 

 which should extend about 1^ feet on either side of the 

 trench. With this method, about a month is required 

 for the shoots to grow through 8 inches of sand. 



If desired, the trenches may be dug in the fall, the roots 

 planted at once and the hot manure used at any time 

 during the winter. In this instance, the trenched roots 

 should be covered sufficiently with manure in the fall to 

 prevent hard freezing. 



When a crop sells at 25 cents or more a pound, special 

 care should be exercised in preparing it for market. 

 Though most of the French and Belgian product is 

 shipped in 20-pound baskets, smaller packages would be 

 an advantage, especially when the crop is selling at very 

 high prices. It would seem that pound lots, wrapped in 

 paraffined paper and packed in small baskets, would 

 appeal to dealers as well as to consumers. 



