26 RANCHING IN THE CANADIAN WEST 



When the whole of the shed on each of its four sides 

 (with the exception of the entrance) has been 

 boarded up as indicated, strips of 1 by 3 quartering 

 should be nailed on to hide the joints and to keep 

 out any draught in the same manner as was advised 

 in the case of the stable. 



The Root-House. 



This is usually excavated in the south side of a 

 hill or rising piece of ground which slopes to the 

 south, and is of the simplest character. After 

 hollowing out with pick and spade as big a chamber 

 as you require, make a roof 6 feet high by spiking a 

 number of poles as close together as they will lie 

 across the top of a rough framework of posts 6 inches 

 or so in diameter. Rough lumber should be nailed 

 to the framework on each side, leaving space for a 

 door to be hung to give access to the cave on the 

 south side. Pile up the earth which has been taken 

 out in digging the chamber on each side and all over 

 the top of the structure, adding from time to time 

 a good layer of dung from the shed when cleaning it 

 out. You will then have a good frost-proof store- 

 house for field vegetables in the winter-time. 



