The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1920-08-12
STORAGE ON THE
FARM
BY E r. Bennett Of the University
Extension Division.

toes are living these days in dread o.
= car shortage this fall. Basing oul
Judgment on the best information W
can obtain, and the experience Of last
year, they are justified in their fear
Of inadequate shipping facilities again
this season. II We analyze the whole
situation, We can readily sec that car
shortages are always sure to occur
each year that brings with it u full
crop Of fruit or potatoes in the west
ern states. Not all Of the fruit or all
Of the potatoes surely, not all of
both Of these crops-can be put on
the market at the same time. A
certain percentage Of them must be
held in storage somewhere during at
least a part of the season, There
may be sufficient storage capacity in
the cities or at loading points, but
this is not always accessible and it IS
as usual thing. owned by the dealer
rather than the grower. Hence, even
though warehouses are sufficient IN
capacity, the problem of storage for
the grower is not solved.
The grower Of either apples or po-
tatoes who has no storage is fire.
quently, 1t the mercy Of the specula-
tor. Recently we have come in con-
tact with several growers Of potatoes
who have contracted 1T least . part
Of their crop for September delivery
ut low price because of fear Of
car shortage. An efficient storage
house would make these men indepen-
dent Of the buyer and beyond the
danger Of losing their crop through
a car shortage or BY frost in the fall.
The dugout costs the least per
unit Of capacity of any building on
the farm. 1t is the most convenient
and useful building on the farm and
if properly built it will preserve fruit
and potatoes better than any frame
warehouse.
1t is made of soil-soil floor, soil
roof, and may be made with soil sides.
The soil construction is not entirely
matter of economy. Dry soil is
one of the best non-conductors of
heat, and it is a good absorbent of
moisture or gas. Underground, the
humidity is practically uniform thru
out the year, which is another item
of Importance in the keeping of fruit
and potatoes.
The dug-out should be constructed
either on level ground or through a
ridge, but not into a bank. Three or
three and one half feet are deep
enough for the excavation. Thir-
ty-six feet is a satisfactory width,
providing foom for two 12-foot bins
and 12-foot driveway Any length
may be used, though we do not ad-
wise more than 200 feet. There |
should be driveway doors at each end. |
The ends are best made of concrete or
stone walls which should extend into
The approaches.
Use strong timbers for all posts,
purlins and rafters. Posts should |
not be less than eight inches square,
n eight inches in diameter 1T the
mall end if round timbers are used.
4 round rafters are used, four inches
should be the minimum diameter at
he small end. Rafters 2x12 are none
90 heavy if sawed lumber is used
centers are none too
lose for rafters.
Ventilators may be made to suit
he fancy of the owner. If the cell
ar is not too long, the doors are
bout the only openings necessary to
i've perfect ventilation. The venti-
ators should be made in such a way
hat light may be admitted through
hem when desired
The storage cellar is an important
art of the farm building equipment.
need not be expensive, but to be eff
Gent it must conform to the prin-
iples of construction mentioned 1t
! made of earth, straw and timber.
is essentially below ground. 1t is
rost proof in the winter and cool in
lie summer There should be one on
very farm in the arid west. Details
construction may be obtained from
he extension division of the Univer-
ty Of Idaho, at Boise.
1t is not too soon now to make plans
nd construct the cellar if it is to be
sed to hold the apple or potato crop
lis coming fall. It is now the
reatest need on our fruit and pota-
farms.