136 GAKDENItfG FOE YOUNG AND OLD. 



most needed. There is always plenty of work to be done 

 at the pit. 



When the roots in the pit reach the level of the ground, 

 it will be necessary to take a little more pains in placing 

 them in it. And I would especially recommend you, 

 if possible, to throw a quantity of dry sand or earth on 

 the turnips in the pit. Those below the surface of the 

 ground do not need it so much, but the turnips in the 

 pit above the surface, and especially as they approach the 

 top, will keep far better and fresher, if dry earth or sand 

 is freely scattered among them. A bushel of sand to 

 each three or four bushels of turnips will be exceedingly 

 beneficial. I do not mean that you should draw sand 

 from a distance, but take that which has been plowed 

 out of the pit, giving preference to that which is driest. 

 Do not be afraid of using too much. The sand will not 

 only keep the turnips fresher, but it is quite a conven- 

 ience in enabling you to build up the sides of the pit 

 straighter and narrower. A wide pit is objectionable; 

 four feet wide at the surface of the ground, and gradually 

 tapering up to the top, to the height of three and a half 

 to four feet, is quite large enough. It is generally rec- 

 ommended to place chimneys every four or five feet in 

 the pit, for the purpose of carrying off the heat or steam. 

 These chimneys can be made by placing a bunch of straw 

 a foot deep among the turnips, and letting it project 

 through the covering of earth on top. Drain tiles two 

 or three inches in diameter are equally effective. 



If the work is delayed until just before winter sets in, 

 and the turnips are very cold when put in the pit, and 

 above all, if plenty of dry sand has been mixed with the 

 roots, and a liberal coat of straw, say six or eight inches 

 thick, is placed on top of the roots from the surface to 

 the apex, there is very little danger that the turnips will 

 get too hot in the pit. As I have said before, this is the 

 real difficulty in keeping turnips. It is a very easy mat- 



