COMMON OR COOL STORAGES. 



The third main type of storage mentioned is the common or cool storage. Much 

 more can be accomplished with this type than is ordinarily realized if the low 

 temperatures of the cool nights of spring and fall are made use of, as they usually 

 are not. If suitable varieties of apples and vegetables are chosen, it is not necessary 

 to have a cold storage on farm in order to store them in good shape till the 

 following spring. Great loss is each year experienced by having inferior common 

 storages, and- by storing unsuitable varieties of fruits and vegetables. 



PRINCIPLES OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE STORAGE. 



There are six fundamentals that must be kept in mind in constructing a 

 storage for fruits and vegetables: (1) Maintenance of low temperatures; (2) pro- 

 tection from frost; (3) provision of sufficient moisture; (4) avoidance of a wet and 

 stagnant atmosphere; (5) protection from heating, for heating is the natural 

 result of the accumulation of much fresh vegetable matter; and (G) protection 

 from change of temperature. 



The amount of protection from frost varies with the severity of the climate. 

 In British Columbia the Lower Mainland and Island regions will not require the 



Fig. 7. Basement of Dr. Whitney's Wenatchee Valley storage, showing: floor 

 and wall construction. 



same construction demanded in the Interior regions. The natural heat of vegetable 

 matter stored is held within the storage, and the cold is kept out by walls that 

 transmit heat very slowly. Since air-spaces in which the air is kept confined are 

 very poor conductors of heat, it is necessary to build the walls of materials having 

 a great many minute air-spaces. In protecting from frost, the construction is at 

 the same time made such that it maintains low and even temperatures within when 

 the weather is warm without. 



To give a storage sufficient moisture to prevent excessive evaporation, and 

 also give an air not too moist nor stale, is produced by proper ventilation. Ventila- 



13 



