No. 4.] ROOT CROPS. 143 



table pit or a temporary outdoor pit. It is essential to the best 

 results that the roots be put away after the weather has become 

 cool, usually toward the end of October. 



When j)ut into a cellar they are piled about 2 feet deep, and 

 usually keep best when covered with sand, so that the air does not 

 come in contact with them. Some gTOwers do not consider this 

 necessary, and where the air is moist it is not essential. 



Vegetable pits are usually constructed on a sidehill, or dug down 

 6 to 8 feet deep, where the roots are kept considerably below the 

 surface of the ground. On such a pit a double-pitch roof is usually 

 constructed, with an opening covered by a 3 by 6 foot shutter, or 

 something similar. When the cold weather of winter is at hand the 

 roof and sides above ground are covered with meadow hay, or strong 

 horse manure, to prevent freezing. The most convenient location 

 for a vegetable pit is a sidehill where the vegetables can be carried 

 in on a level with the floor of the pit. Where the storage is large 

 a cart can be backed into tlie pit, saving much expensive labor. 



A temporary outdoor pit can be easily made in the following 

 manner. Select a well-drained piece of land, in a convenient loca- 

 tion. Stake out the pit about 6 feet wide and the length desired, 

 having the long way of the pit extend north and south. With a 

 single plow loosen the surface soil to the depth of 6 to 8 inches, and 

 shovel this out either side, dividing the amount about equally. Then 

 pack the vegetables on the ground, having the base of the pile about 

 5 to 6 feet wide, and bring it to a ridge in the middle, at a height 

 of about 2y2 feet. Extend this pile as far as desired, and make 

 parallel pits if necessary. When the vegetables are packed in the 

 pits cover with 2 inches of straw or meadow hay, throw 2 to 3 

 inches of earth on them and allow them to thoroughly cool. As the 

 weather groAvs colder add to the amount of covering, until there is 

 4 to 6 inches of earth over the pit. To allow ventilation pull a little 

 of the straw up at the ridge, so that the earth does not cover com- 

 pletely, and so that any warm air may escape. When the earth 

 covering has frozen into a crust, cover with straw or manure, so 

 that the frost will not enter the pit. Instead of covering with earth 

 at the south end use a liberal amount of straw as protection. When 

 vegetables are wanted pull away the straw and take out what are 

 wanted, breaking down the pit as the vegetables are removed. This 

 outdoor pit, while temjDorary, gives very satisfactory results. 



Parsnips. 

 Parsnips are a long-season root crop, which ought to be planted 

 before the first of Mny, and will occupy the ground until late into 

 the fall, sometimes until the following spring. There is a very limited 

 sale for them bunched, but some market gardeners find such a sale 

 profitable. Parsnips require a deep loam. A rich, sandy loam is 



