272 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



tically a bushel each, make good containers. The latter for 

 home use are more convenient. Pears should be stored in a 

 dark, cool, well-ventilated place. The rapidity with which 

 they ripen will depend to a large extent upon the temper- 

 ature. For long keeping it should be kept as near thirty- 

 two as possible. 



Late Crops for Winter Storing 



While a number of the late crops are handled in much the 

 same way, three of the most important of them, — ^potatoes, 

 onions, and celery, — require individual methods of treat- 

 ment. 



Potatoes for storing should not be dug until they 

 are thoroughly matured as indicated by both the firmness of 

 the skin and the cooking quahties. Dead vines are not a 

 sure guide, as they may dry up prematurely from drought, 

 bhght or frost. In cases where it is due to blight the tubers 

 in the soil will begin to rot, and should be left until all that 

 are going to spoil have done so. Otherwise they will rot 

 after digging. The tubers should be left in the sun long 

 enough to get thoroughly dried off, but not to sun-bum, as 

 this spoils the table quality. 



Onions. Success in keeping onions will depend very 

 largely upon the care given in harvesting. After the tops 

 dry down they should be pulled and laid in rows, and turned 

 every day until they are thoroughly dried. Then they 

 should be brought under cover — cutting off the tops or not, 

 as conditions permit — where the air may circulate freely 

 about them in all directions. Spread them out thin on the 

 floor or pack them in slatted bushel crates. The white 

 varieties must be cured under cover or they will turn green, 

 and if they get a ghost of a chance begin to sprout again 

 immediately. No onions, after the tops die, should be left 

 in the ground. Before hard freezing weather they should be 

 sorted over again and the soimdest and driest stored for 

 long keeping, the others being put aside for more immediate 

 use. 



