398 



Storing Turnips. 



[OCT., 



STORING TURNIPS. 



The main reason for storing turnips is to protect them 

 against damage by frost, though protection against ground 

 game, rooks and wood pigeons, which may be very hard on 

 roots exposed during winter, is also an important object in 

 some districts. Not only should a good system of storage 

 secure these ends, but it should also protect the roots against 

 decaying and becoming too dry. 



The more important methods of preserving turnips over 

 winter are as follows : — 



1. In large heaps, whose length and breadth will depend on 

 the quantity of roots to be stored, but whose depth should not 

 exceed 3 J ft. The sides are covered by some 12 in. of straw, 

 overlaid by 4 in. of soil on the sides exposed to the prevailing 

 winds, though 3 in. of soil will suffice on the other sides. The 

 top of the heap is covered by 6 in. of straw kept in position by 

 poles, branches, &c. Old straw ropes removed from stacks that 

 hav^e been thatched may be usefully thrown over the straw. 

 Soil should not be spread on the top of the heap, as it gets 

 'washed through amongst the roots and dirties them. 



2. In oblong heaps, like large potato pits or clamps. The 

 base should have a breadth of 7 ft., and on this the roots are 

 piled, gradually contracting to the top like the roof of a house. 

 The whole is afterwards covered by some 12 in. of straw, over- 

 laid by 4 in. of soil on the side exposed to the prevailing wind. 

 On the sheltered side the covering of soil should not exceed 

 2 in. in depth. Many farmers do not place a complete covering 

 of soil on the sheltered side, but only a spadeful of soil on 

 every square foot. The ridge of the heap is, in any case, left 

 clear of soil, so that free ventilation is secured. This style of 

 heap requires more covering in proportion to its contents than 

 the last, but under no system of storing are the roots better 

 preserved. 



3. In small heaps, equally distributed over the field where the 

 roots were grown. Each heap usually contains about 30 cwt, 

 but in some districts, heaps containing only about half-a-ton of 

 roots are formed, in which case, if the crop is a good one, no 



