456 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



The classes of vegetables. 



Before attempting to grow particular vegetables, it will help 

 the beginner to an understanding of the subject if he recognizes 

 certain cultural groups or classes, and what their main require- 

 ments are. 



Root-crops — Beet, carrot, parsnip, salsify. 



The root-crops are cool-weather plants; that is, they may be 

 sown very early, even before light frosts disappear; and the 

 winter kinds grow very late in the fall, or may be left in the 

 ground till most other crops are harvested. They are not often 

 transplanted. 



Loose and deep soil, free from clods, is required to grow 

 straight and well-developed roots. The land must also be 

 perfectly drained, not only to remove superfluous moisture, 

 but to provide a deep and friable soil. Subsoiling is useful 

 in hard lands. A large admixture of sand is generally desir- 

 able, provided the soil is not likely to overheat in surmy 

 weather. 



To keep roots fresh in the cellar, pack them in barrels, boxes, 

 or bins of sand which is just naturally moist, allowing each root 

 to come wholly or partly in contact with the sand. The best 

 material in which to pack them is sphagnum moss, the same 

 that nurserymen use in packing trees for shipment, and which 

 may be obtained in bogs in many parts of the country. In 

 either sand or sphagnum, the roots will not shrivel; but if the 

 cellar is warm, they may start to grow. Roots can also be 

 buried, after the manner of potatoes. Page 158. 



Alhaceous group — Onion, leek, garlic. 



A group of very hardy cool-weather plants, demanding un- 

 usually careful preparation of the surface soil to receive the 

 seeds and to set the young plants going. They withstand frost 

 and cool weather, and may be sown very early. Seeds are 



