338 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



to Store the roots in a trench in the ground, three feet deep and 

 four feet wide. Commence by building up a tier of roots entirely 

 across one end" of the trench, and' extending back two feet from 

 the end, sprinkling a little fine earth or sand among the layers to 

 exclude the air. After this tier is built to the top, commence a 

 second one, six inches from the first ; and, as you build up, fill 

 the space between the two with earth. Proceed in this manner, 

 laying up successive tiers, until the trench is filled. Then cover 

 the whole with a thin layer of straw, to be increased gradually in 

 thickness as the weather becomes colder. After the first six 

 inches of straw are put on, there is more to be feared "from too 

 great heat than from frost ; although, after the winter has fairly* 

 set in, the covering (being beaten down by rain and snow) shouJUl 

 be at least ten or twelve inches thick. Roots stored in this way 

 may be taken out as wanted, (one tier at a time,) and usually keep 

 better than in over-ground ridges. Of course the ground must be 

 naturally dry at all seasons, for the whole depth of the trench, or 

 it must be artificially drained. 



The same caution against too rapid covering should be used in 

 the case of the ridge system, and in no case should corn-stalks be 

 used for covering, as these are very apt to decay and communi- 

 cate decay to the roots. 



Parsnips can hardly be regarded in this country as a farm crop ; 

 for, while they are excellent for feeding and their productiveness 

 is bountiful, the labor of digging the crop is serious, and, either in 

 the autumn or in the spring, is likely to interfere with other opera- 

 tions. At the same time, theSe roots possess the great advantage 

 of remaining in the ground where they are grown without protec- 

 tion during the severest winter, coming out in perfect condition at 

 any time before their second season's growth has commenced in 

 the spring. They should be planted, and cultivated in all respects, 

 as has been directed for carrots, — save that the intervals between 

 the plants in the rows should not be less than eight inches. 



