ROOT CROP PROJECTS 197 



1. At' what "Stage of development should root crops be harvested? 



2. Why is it important to harvest early root crops as promptly as 



possible ? 



3. Which of the root crops may be left in the ground all winter? 



4. How should early root crops be prepared for market? Late 



root crops? 



5. Can you suggest any improvement in the methods employed in 



marketing root crops in your community ? 



15. Storing root crops. — Millions of bushels of root crops are 

 stored every year. The number of permanent storage pits and 

 houses is constantly increasing. Some of the pits are very simple 

 and inexpensive to construct. They are often built of concrete 

 and covered with enough soil or litter of some kind to prevent 

 the roots from freezing. Plans for such pits or houses may be 

 obtained from most of the agricultural colleges. 



The home project gardener, however, may not have such a pit, 

 and he may not have the means to construct one for the first crop 

 or two. In that event, he can bury the roots so that they will 

 keep in perfect condition. A well-drained location should be 

 found. The roots, such as beets, carrots, turnips, parsnips, and 

 salsify, may be piled on top of the ground, or if the drainage is 

 good, an excavation eight to ten inches in depth may be made. 

 In either case the roots should be first covered with four to six 

 inches of straw and then several inches of soil, and as the winter 

 comes on soil applied to depth of one foot, with enough horse 

 manure to protect the roots from freezing. In most parts of the 

 North a covering of manure half a foot deep on top of the soil 

 will be necessary to insure the safety of the roots. The pit may 

 be opened on mild days during the winter to remove all or part of 



