18 



THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



the selection of a suitable place, easily accessible, protected from prevail- 

 ing winds, dry subsoil and cover soil not too light. 



Methods of storing in pits vary in different localities. Fig. 4, repre- 

 senting the method of Appel, is offered merely as one of many possible 

 methods. 



The bottom of the pit should be not more than about 6 inches below the 

 level of the surrounding ground, except in very cold climates, where it 

 may be sunk as low as 2 feet. Deep pits may have a diameter of 20 to 30 

 inches at the base, shallow pits 40 to 60 inches, and where the base is on 

 a level with the ground it may be made as wide as 6 to 8 feet. The length 

 of the pit is a matter of taste or convenience. 



6 inches earth 



6 inches straw or potato tops, 

 chaff or similar material. 



4 inches earth 



6 inches straw 

 Gable flue 



nches straw 



Base of pit 60 inches 

 Fig. 4. Cross section of potato pit. 



Shallow pits need proportionately more top or cover protection than 

 deeper ones. It is a bad practice to store potatoes in excessively large 

 piles or bins (violent sweating or curing process). 



The covering should consist of a 4 to 6 inch layer of stiff straw (in 

 Northern Germany the twigs of juniper trees are frequently used for this 

 purpose) applied directly to the potatoes and this covered with a layer of 

 earth about 18 inches thick. The use of potato tops in lieu of straw for 

 covering the potatoes is objectionable on account of the danger of infec- 

 tion with potato rot (Phytoplithora). Where the base of the storage 

 cavity is on a level with the ground it is advisable to provide additional 

 protection by dividing the earth layer and inserting a second layer of 

 straw, chaff, or similar material. Potato tops would not be objectionable 

 in this layer. 



Ventilation is best provided by means of a gable flue, provided by in- 

 serting a cylindrical pole, or half round, when placing the first layer of 

 straw, and withdrawing the same after completion of the mound. (See 

 Fig. 4.) 



