Temporary Pits 



233 



essary to use the boards the following year, and the 

 subsequent covering will hold them in place. At inter- 

 vals of ten or twelve feet two or three boards are left 

 without nailing to allow of an entrance, and the place 

 is marked by a stake driven into the ground. These 

 pits are made late in the fall, and until severe freezing 

 weather comes the protection of boards is sufficient ; 

 but as winter approaches, straw, grass or other litter is 

 thrown over the roof, and subsequently manure or earth 

 is added. In pits of this character, which contain a 

 large body of air, very uniform conditions are secured. 

 In them celery, leek and Brussels sprouts, and even 

 cabbage, may be set compactly in rows. The plants 

 often will make a root-hold in the soil, and therefore 

 will not shrivel and are not so likely to rot as those 

 that are thrown in loose. Pits of this character are 

 very useful for the storing of late or winter celery. 

 In them the celery will grow somewhat, and it will 

 blanch by spring. If, however, it is desired to keep 

 celery only a short time, and particularly if the crop has 

 been blanched in the field, another kind of house is usu- 

 ally more desirable. In that case, a house which has a 

 little artificial heat is usually better; and houses of this 

 kind are used in the Kalamazoo celery region. These 

 will be discussed when the subject of celery is considered. 



Nearly all root crops, as beets, carrots, potatoes, are 

 kept over winter with ease by burying them in the 

 field. It is well to choose a warm and well -drained soil. 

 It is important that the pit be covered very lightly at 

 first, and more covering added as the cold weather comes 

 on. If the full amount of covering is applied at first, 



