The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-07-29
CAN PUT POTATOES
IN TOBACCO BARNS.
Only Slight Alterations to Be Made

Clemson College July 15-In GER
tain sections of the state. tobacco
warehouses can be used to advantage
as home potato storage houses, If GER
tain temporary alterations are made.
The following instructions are fur
nished by the extension service horti-
culturists:
Walls: The standard tobacco barn
is generally constructed with one
tight wall, therefore another wall
should be built on the inside. This
wall is constructed by placing X
studding placed IS to "a inches apart
against the outer walls, the walls to
be as high as potatoes are to be stor-
ed, usually eight to ten feet. Storm
sheathing is placed on the studding,
and then building paper and ceiling.
Rough ceiling may be mailed to the
studding and tar paper placed on in
stead of building paper and ceiling,
the tar paper being stripped or pam
eled with laths. These walls should
be closed tightly at top and bottom
with pieces of 2 4 blocked in be-
tween the studding so as to prevent
circulation of air between the walls
This gives a dead air space.
Flooring: The floor is placed three
or four feet above the level Of the
ground on wooden or brick piles.
Place 6x8 inch sills on the founda-
'tion sills of the barn. OF these sills
place 2x10 inch joist, IS inches as the
center. The floor Is then built in Sec
tions three or four feet wide, these
sections to be the length of the house
inside, and so as to fit tight. The
flooring is not nailed to the joist as
the weight of the potatoes will hold
it in place. A matched floor is best,
as this excludes moisture from the
earthen floor of the barn.
Ceiling: The ceiling may be made
of cheap roofing paper tackled to the
third or fourth tier poles, or rough
ceiling laid across the tier poles and
tar or roofing paper tackled on this
rough ceiling.
Ventilation: Twelve inch square
holes should cut in the floor for
ventilators. one in each corner and
one in the center. These are made so
that they can be closed up tightly
when the potatoes are cured.
Ventilators of the same size should
be cut in the ceiling and we made so
that they can be closed from the in
side.
The ventilators in the foundation Of
the walls Of the original tobacco barn
will allow sufficient air to pass under
the floor, but should be closed up at
ter the potatoes are cured, and only
opened when the house is ventilated.
Doors: There should be an outer
and an inner door, both Of which
should be constructed to exclude air.
The upper half of the inner door
should be of glass so as to afford light
Heat: The flues can be used to cure
the potatoes, the temperature being
kept between IS and go degrees dur
ing the curing period. If the flues are
not used small coal, wood or oil heat
ers should be used. In the case of coal
or wood heaters being used, a flue
would have to be built.
Care of material: During the seas
on when the barn is being used for
curing tobacco the special potato
house flooring and ceiling are remoy-
ed and stored in a dry place where
it will not warp.
Estimated cost: The estimated cost
is approximately $500.
The above discussion has been based
on the standard tobacco barn. The
log constructed tobacco barn may be
converted in some cases if discretion
is used and the general rules for con-
verting the standard house are car
ried out, plus a knowledge of proper
storage.