ROOT CELLARS AND STORAGE HOUSES 83 



Colorado pits. The pits used in Colorado are all built on the 

 same general plan,, but vary greatly in size and capacity. In gen- 

 eral the excavation varies from 24 to 30 feet in width, and from 

 2 to 8 feet in depth. It is also true that some very satisfactory 

 storage pits are built entirely aboveground. The one shown in 

 figure 27 is of this character. The side walls are of concrete, 

 about 10 inches thick and 4 1- feet high. It is 30 feet wide and is 

 roofed over with poles covered with brush and rough grass, and on 



FIG. 27. An aboveground storage pit 



top of this is a layer of earth. Three rows of posts are used to sup- 

 port the roof, one under the ridge and one on each side, halfway 

 between the ridge and the side wall. This house, which is near 

 Greeley, Colorado, is used for the storage of celery. Modifications 

 of this type of structure are quite commonly found in connection 

 with Northern market gardens. Some consist merely of an exca- 

 vation covered with a temporary roof and protected from low 

 temperatures by straw or manure heaped over the roof. 



Colorado potato pits. The Colorado potato pit, such as is shown 

 in figure 28, is usually a permanent structure. The excavation, 



