EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



361 



STORAGE 



Potatoes that are to be stored should be sound, dry, and quite free from 

 dirt. The temperature of the storage cellar must be high enough to protect 

 the potatoes from frost and low enough to hold the tubers dormant. A 

 temperature of 35° to 40° F. keeps the potatoes in good condition. 



Fig. 20. A satisfactory farm storage cellar. Cold air is taken in at the bottom of the cellar by means 

 of a 12 inch pipe. The moist heated air is removed through the vetitilator pipes in the roof. 



Potatoes are constantly giving out moisture and various gasses, and there 

 must be an adequate system of ventilation that will carry off the foul, moist 

 air and replace it with fresh air. When potatoes are first put in storage they 

 go through a sweating process, and unless the temperature of the storage 

 house is lowered quickly and plenty of fresh air is admitted the potatoes are 

 likely to heat and rot. The temperature of the storage house can be lowered 

 by keeping the windows and doors open on cool nights and closing them early 

 in the morning. 



Potatoes should not be stored in piles more than 6 feet deep unless pro- 

 vision is made for aerating the piles. Potatoes must have a constant supply 

 of oxygen. In large deep piles, sufficient fresh air cannot get to the tubers, 

 and much damage is caused by the potatoes becoming overheated. Aeration 

 of large piles of potatoes can be provided for by placing ventilated division 

 walls throughout the pile at intervals of 6 or 8 feet as the potatoes are put in 

 the bin. These division walls may be made from 2 " x 6 " uprights with 1 " x 4 " 

 strips nailed on either edge. A one inch space should be left between each 

 strip. 



Potatoes are injured for food purposes if they are exposed to fight. All 

 light should be excluded from the storage cellar. 



Potatoes can be stored in pits quite satisfactorily. The pits should be 

 located on high, well drained soil and should be about 8 to 12 inches deep. 

 The potatoes should be placed in long narrow piles and should be piled in a 

 ridge of inverted V shape. 



