440 THE MANGOLD-WURZEL CROP. 



thirty years since, it was planted with mangold, and the 

 crop, sold on the ground by auction, realized 80 per acre. 



As the mangold is a more delicate root than the turnip, 

 and is usually not required for consumption until the 

 Swedes are all gone, the method of storing it claims the 

 especial care of the farmer, as upon the success of this he 

 depends mainly for keep for his stall-fed stock at a very 

 important period of the year, just when they are being 

 finished off for market. The great object to be attained is 

 to secure the stored roots from injury from their own inter- 

 nal heat and moisture, and from the external injuries of rain 

 or frost. The chances of the first may be entirely met, or 

 at all events materially lessened, by exposure in the field 

 previous to carting; and the second may be effectually 

 prevented by the following method of arranging the store 

 heap. 



A dry spot of suitable dimensions, and in a convenient 

 locality, having been selected for the store, a common 

 hurdle should be firmly fixed in the ground, to form the 

 head of the heap ; and attached to this, at right angles on 

 either side, other hurdles should be placed, thus forming a 

 passage with parallel sides 6 feet (the width of the hurdle) 

 in the clear apart. This width admits of an ordinary farm- 

 cart being easily backed in, from which the mangolds are 

 tilted out, and arranged so as to fill the space between the 

 two sides by the man intrusted with the building of the 

 heap. This process may be carried on as long as the crop 

 of roots holds out, or it is convenient to extend the line 

 of the heap. To close the heap, a cross-hurdle is firmly 

 set in the ground, and the roots are built up against it 

 as at the commencement. 



Here, then, we have built up the heap 6 feet wide, 3 feet 

 high at each side, and with a ridged top, say 6 feet, in the 

 centre (see diagram), resting on the dry surface, or upon 

 a thin bottom of any dry rubbish at hand. This has now 



