STORING PUMPKINS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1627, 19 December 1912, Page 8

STORING PUMPKINS.

MISSOURI FARMER'S PLAN. A method of storing pumpkins which may or may not be worth turlher iuquiry was tried with success by a Missouri farmer last season, ami is stated I o have been entirely successful. Selecting tho thoroughly-ripened, solid pumpkins from tho Held, tlio iarmer in iiuubliou hauled thorn to the barn and Ictt them ■in a crib as long as ho dared, when they were removed to a place lor winter .storage. Choosing a spot insuring ample drainage, old sunflower-stalks, weeds, and cornfodder were laid on tho ground. On these was placed a goodly layer of hivy, to prevent the pumpkins from coming in contact with the dirt. Tho pumpkins were carefully placed on this layer of hay, being arranged in such a manner that the pile came to a poiiit at a height of four feet, something similar to a' hay-stack. The pile then was covered with a thick layer of hay, to sued tho rain and protect the fruit from severely cold weather, rodder was set up around the hay to prevent its being blown or scratched away. A wire around the fodder completed tho protection by holding the stalks up straight. An additional and sharper point of hay was put over the fodder tops to insure a rain-proof covering. When this storage place was opened up in January, the interior was as dry as when the pumpkins were stored, and the farmer began feeding them with tho fed-, der. The last were fed out in March. Tlio advantage of this method is that the pumpkins were supplied when such articles of feed are not to be secured in field or pasture, and when the stock relish them most. This is much better than cramming the stock with pumpkins for a few days when they are plentiful, then letting them Bo without such essential material till" the pumpkin seasons rolls round again.