ROOT CROPS. 225 



by unavoidable "exposure, they should be kept separate, and 

 consumed as soon as possible, as they will not keep for any 

 length of time. 



In selecting a place for storing, if a wall with a northern 

 aspect and dry situation be at hand, nothing better can be 

 desired than to store them up against it neatly, making the 

 heap about six feet wide at the base, and sloping up against 

 the wall to the height of six or seven feet. When this method 

 of storing is not convenient, the bulbs may be built into roof- 

 shaped heaps, about six feet in width at the base, and five feet 

 in height, in a dry place. Another very good way to store 

 them, is to build two dry stone walls, parallel to each other, 

 sufficiently distant to allow a cart to pass between them, about 

 four feet high, and of any required length. Hurdles may be 

 substituted for stone walls, and inclosures made by brush- 

 wood, &G., when found more convenient. Into these inclosedi 

 spaces the bulbs are put and piled up, terminating in a ridge. 

 The latter method of storing is a good means of economizing: 

 space ; and if it be adopted, the dry stone walls, (if hurdles,. 

 &c., be not used in their stead,) require to be plastered or- 

 dashed with mortar, to prevent frost from entering the crevices.. 

 Whatever mode of storing is adopted, the same great object is- 

 to be kept in view, viz. : — the safety of the crop by preserving it 

 from frost and wet, by carefully thatching as quickly as the- 

 heap is made, and making provision for the removal of all wet-- 

 ness caused by rain or otherwise. Being carefully stored^ 

 thatched and kept dry, the mangolds may be preserved in a' 

 sound state till midsummer, if required, and even longer, with; 

 their feeding properties little impaired, especially if the heap< 

 be turned over in spring, and any young shoots rubbed off., 

 besides .removing any decayed roots. 



Produce. — The produce varies with the climate, soil, seasoB, 

 manuring, care bestowed on cultivation, &c. Where all these 

 are favorable, over forty tons per acre have been obtained ; but 

 twenty to twenty-five tons may be considered as the average-,, 

 and twenty-five to thirty tons may be reckoned a good crop. 



The mangold wurzel is less variable in its produce than the 

 turnip, not being so liable to casualties during its growth ; the 

 principal ones to which the former are liable, are the occur- 

 rence of occasional blanks, owing to the failure of the seed hi 



29 



