262 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



some sections. Storing corn in rail pens is not to be 

 commended. 



The principal aims to be kept in mind in constructing 

 corn-cribs in the cotton-belt vary somewhat with condi- 

 tions. In sections where weevil damage is not great, the 

 primary objects should be good ventilation and protection 

 from rodents, such as rats and mice. Ventilation is usually 

 secured by constructing the sides of the crib of narrow 

 slats nailed in a horizontal position on the inside of the 

 framing. Ventilated sheet-iron cribs are now on the mar- 

 ket. Cribs are made rodent-proof in the process of con- 

 struction by tacking wire netting of about one-fourth inch 

 mesh over the sleepers, the inside of the uprights, and to 

 the joists; the crib is thus lined completely with this 

 material. The wire netting is held in place by putting 

 the flooring and side strips on over it, and tacking the wire 

 well to the joists. The floor should be at least 20 inches 

 from the ground to give good ventilation and avoid mak- 

 ing a hiding place for rats. 



Where weevils damage the stored corn, the cribs should 

 be tightly constructed so as to permit of the successful 

 use of an insecticide. In storing corn in close cribs one 

 should take precautions to see that the ears are well dried 

 out; otherwise dampness and lack of ventilation will cause 

 the grain to rot in the crib. The treatment of stored grain 

 to prevent weevil damage is discussed in the chapter on 

 insect enemies of corn. 



317. Shrinkage of stored corn. Stored corn may 

 lose in weight after being stored, amounting to 5 to 20 

 per cent, due primarily to the loss of water. The amount 

 of loss depends upon the moisture content of the corn 

 when stored, the length of the storage period and the 

 humidity of the atmosphere during storage. An average 



