CHAPTER V 



ROOT CELLARS AND STORAGE HOUSES 



Storage cellars a necessity. Root cellars, like fruit storage 

 houses, are a part of the producer's insurance of his crop. Not 

 only do they enable him to dispose of his crop at a period when 

 the markets are not burdened, thereby often making a substan- 

 tial profit, but they actually reduce the cost of harvesting. The 

 saving, at harvest, consists largely in being able to move the crop 

 more quickly. Sorting and grading can be done more leisurely and at 

 less expense as the crop is removed from storage. Hauling and 

 loading on cars can usually be done more cheaply at other seasons 

 than during the harvest period. With a good cellar the crop can 

 be quickly stored under safe conditions, thus preventing loss. 



Storage cellars are naturally better adapted for carrying potatoes, 

 carrots, and beets than cabbage or fruit ; but good cellars will be 

 found to be of great advantage for either of the last-named crops, pro- 

 vided the storage period does not extend beyond the normal cool 

 season. Cellars have an advantage over storerooms not always con- 

 sidered ; they are usually more moist than ordinary storage rooms 

 a decided advantage when dealing with succulent vegetables 

 and fruits which suffer in quality from loss of moisture. 



With the advent of the cement age the problem of constructing 

 on the farm satisfactory, and at the same time cheap and durable, 

 root cellars has been solved. 



In no part of the United States is the storage cellar so important 

 a factor as in the great potato sections of Maine and Colorado. This 

 great crop must be given the full benefit of every day of the grow- 

 ing season ; but as soon as the vines are cut by frost, harvesting 

 must begin and must progress with the utmost rapidity to save the 

 crop from being frozen in the field. In order that growers may 

 handle from 2000 to 20,000 bushels of potatoes within two weeks, 

 advantage must be taken of every convenience and device that will 

 facilitate the work. 



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