780 



Popular Science Monthly 



19" Layer of straw 



with sod or dirt roof is in most general use. 

 As a rule, the excavation for the cheaper 

 structures of the dugout pit or cellar type 

 when erected on a level or nearly level land 

 does not . exceed 3 ft. The 

 soil removed from such an 

 excavation, particularly if the 

 dugout is of considerable size, 

 is ample for banking the side 

 and end walls and also for 

 the roof. The cost of con- 

 struction may be greatly 

 modified according to the 

 character of the location. 



In the cheaper dugouts, 

 where the soil is of such a 

 nature as to remain intact, it 

 is allowed to form the side 

 and end walls, the roof being 

 supported on plates resting on 

 the soil and held together by 

 boards or joists. This form of construction 

 involves a deeper excavation and a constant 

 element of risk from a cave-in. In the more 

 expensive and substantial structures the 

 side and end walls are built of concrete. 



Insulated frame potato storage houses 

 are not used very extensively. As a rule 

 they are better adapted to southern than to 



2"X6" Plate bolted 



house is not to be recommended for north- 

 ern locations, nor is it advocated for the 

 South except where poor drainage condi- 

 tions will not permit the use of the dugout 



Vent is x ib" 



W Joint bolt 



•^.lo'layer of earth 



A cross-section of an end elevation of a potato 

 storage cellar successfully used on a western ranch 



l potato storage cellar showing 

 constructing the aerated bin 



northern climatic conditions. The con- 

 struction feature of such houses is the 

 thorough insulation of their walls, ceiling, 

 doors and windows. This type of storage 



or cellar style of house for the purpose. 



While it appears that the dugout is more 

 or less familiar, a general description of 

 one will be considered. Generally speaking, 

 the potato cellar should be located in a 

 spot convenient to the dwelling house, be- 

 cause in very cold weather it requires 

 rather close attention to guard against 

 the frost. Where side hills, or knolls, are 

 available it is advisable to take advantage 

 of them, because, as a rule, by their use 

 better drainage and ground level entrance at 

 either one or both ends of the house are 

 secured. Where these conditions are not 

 available and a central driveway is planned, 

 an inclined drive, which should be carried 

 back far enough to permit easy approach, is 

 necessary. Where no wagon entrance is 

 contemplated, provision is usually made 

 for placing the potatoes in the cellar 

 through an opening in the roof, in which 

 chutes are inserted to convey the tubers. 

 In this type of storage house a bulkhead 

 entrance is provided in order to permit 

 easy access for the removal of the stored 

 crop. 



Occasionally, where the land is level and 

 there is danger from irrigation seepage, the 

 storage house is built entirely above the 

 ground. In this case, while the construc- 

 tion of the side and end walls and the roof 

 is practically the same as the preceding, 

 the cost is usually increased on account of 

 the greater quantity of soil required to 

 cover the roof and the side and end walls. 



Where a tough sod is available, such as 

 that formed by flags or other wiry rooted 

 plants, the side and end walls above the 



