Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-08-31
THE STORAGE OF POTATOES.
Use Of Pits. Dugouts and Masonry
Storage Houses for Holding the
Main Crop of Potatoes Discussed
by the L. S. Department Of Agrt.
culture.


culture.
Washington. D. C.-The storage OF
potatoes Of the main crop can be ac-
complished most satisfactorily
throughout much of the United States
in the dugout pit or potato cellar in
some of its various forms of construc-
I ton, says a recently published Farm
ers' Bulletin of the United States De-
par tment of Agriculture, Potato
Storage and Storage Houses" In
general, the bulletin says, no attempt
is made to store potatoes of the early
crop. since usually they are sold for
immediate consumption.
While the dugout storage house is
in most general use, concrete or ma
sonry houses with frame superstruc-
lures are, perhaps, most satisfactory
in cold climates. In some sections.
especially in the South, where drain
age is poor, insulated frame struc-
lures built entirely above ground
must be depended upon.
The primary purposes OF storage, 1t
is pointed out, are to protect the
tubers from extremes of heat and
cold and from light. Account also
must be taken of conditions of hui
midity and ventilation and Of the
size of the storage pile.
The temperature should be the
highest at which potatoes can be
maintained firm and ungerminated,
and which will at the same time hold
fungous diseases in check. Expert
ments of the department with arti-
ficially refrigerated storage indicate
that SO degrees F. is sufficiently low
for all practical purposes and that in
the earlier portion Of the storage
season a temperature of 10 degrees
F. is just as satisfactory as a lower
one except where powdery dry rot
infection occurs.
All natural light should be ex-
cluded from potato storage houses,
because when the tubers are exposed
to even modified light, they are soon
injured for food purposes. A prac-
teal rule in regard to humidity. the
bulletin already mentioned says, is to
maintain sufficient moisture in the
air to prevent the whiting Of the
! tubers and at the same time to keep
the humidity content low enough to
prevent the deposit of moisture on
the surface Of the tubers.
If potatoes are piled in too large
piles they may become over-heated
and deteriorate. Six feet is a good
maximum depth to which to pile
tubers in bins, and the area covered
by each pile also should be limited.
A good plan is to insert ventilated
division walls by mailing relatively
marrow boards on both sides Of 2x4
uprights, l inch spaces being left be-
tween the boards. General ventila-
ton for the whole storage house
usually is accomplished through ven
ltilating shafts in the roof.
Methods of Storage.
j The possible ways to store pota-
toes. says the bulletin, are pits or
earth covered piles, in dugout pits OF
potato storage cellars, in insulated
wooden structures. in substantial ma
sonry or concrete houses, and in ar
ltificiaily refrigerated storage houses.
Tho latter two methods are the most
expensive. Pitting is the most prim-
tive method OF storage, but II prop
erly done on well-drained locations is
satisfactory in 80 far as the preserva-
ton of the potatoes is concerned
The chief drawback to pitting Is that
the potatoes ere not always easily &C.
cessible in the winter.
The dugout pit or potato storage
cellar is probably more widely used
thar any other type Of storage space.
Fitted with water-tight roof. II is
especially popular in the central por-
lions of the United 3tates. IL the
arid and semi-arid sections a type
with sod or dirt roof is in most gen.
, eral use. AS rule, the excavation
for the cheaper structures of the
dugout pit or cellar type when erect.
ed on level or nearly level land does
not exceed 3 feet. The soil removed
from such an excavation, particular.
~ If the dugout is Of any consider
able size, is ample for banking the
) side and end walls and also for the
| roof. The cost Of construction may
, be greatly modified, according to the
character of the location.
In the cheaper dugouts, where the
soil is of such nature as to remain
intact 1t is allowed to form the side
and end walls, the roof being sup
ported on plates resting on the soil
, and held together by boards OF
, joists. This form of construction
involves a deeper excavation and a
, constant element Of risk from a cave
in. In the more expensive an! sub
stantial structures the side and end
walls are built of concrete.
Cousins Meet After 40 Years.