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MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The timbers should be seasoned and coated with coal tar or other pre- 

 servative. Cover all with a shingle or other tight roof. The ceiling 

 joists and cement should extend a few inches, at least, beyond the 

 earth banks to prevent freezing, which would loosen the cement on 

 the sides. Cover over under the roof with several inches of sawdust 

 or a greater depth of chaff or cut straw. Make the roof tight at the 

 edges to keep this dry and exclude cold. A better cover is made by 

 arching with brick. This can be done at a moderate cost, the chief 

 requirement being to so tie the arch at the bottom that it cannot 

 spread, for as it must be quite flat a little spreading would spoil it. 

 It may be tied with iron rods. Cement it on the top side as carefully 

 as one would a cistern, giving it a brush coat as well as the trowel 

 coats, and then cover with a reasonable depth of good soil, trench at 

 the edges to turn water away (not too close to the walls), seed with 

 grass and care for it till a good stand is secured. Such a root house 

 will last a lifetime. 



larfh lA/alkd 

 Roof Houst 

 Floor Plan 



The entrance should have a good stairway and be closed with at 

 least two doors. The sides should be of brick or stone, and have steps 

 of the same or of cement. If a cover is built over the outside it will 

 save a lot of bother in snowy winters. One door should have a 

 good screen. Then the room will be in a fine place for milk, cream, 

 etc. in summer or for churning on hot days. 



There must be some ventilation, not too much. For a room of 

 usual size a tube in the center is enough. There should be two open- 

 ings in this, one near the floor, the other just below the ceiling. The 



