COTTON WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION. S3 



in the case of dirt floors unless drainage is unusually good. Many 

 of the best warehouses, however, have dirt floors. If the drainage 

 is good, the cotton will not be damaged when stored temporarily. 

 When it is to be stored for any length of time, it should be placed on 

 timbers that will keep it well off the ground. Most warehouses 

 keep a supply of skids or stringers, 6 by 8 inches or 4 by 6 inches. 

 These timbers keep the cotton well off the ground, and there is no 

 danger from damage from too much moisture. The great advantage 

 of the dirt floor is the saving in cost of building and insurance. The 

 dirt floor does not require such high walls as are required where a 

 plank or concrete floor is used, and the cost of a standard floor such 

 as cement or brick is very high. The insurance rate is 25 cents 

 higher on plank floors. 



Concrete. — There is a wide difference in opinion among ware- 

 housemen on the advisability of using concrete as a floor. In the 

 first place, there is the very high cost. In the second place, it is 

 contended that cotton will be damaged when stored in contact with 

 such a floor. Others are highly in favor of using it and do not think 

 that the cotton damages to any appreciable extent. It seems safe, 

 however, to state that there is some danger unless there is perfect 

 underdrainage. If a suitable space under the floor is built up with 

 coarse, clean sand, as required by the standards, and a proper outlet 

 is maintained for any water, it seems that damage from this source 

 is almost negligible. If, however, the drainage is not sufficient, there 

 will certainly be some damage. This is especially true if the cotton 

 is too damp when stored. It is also claimed that cotton will lose 

 weight when in contact with a concrete floor during excessively dry 

 seasons. 



Paving blocks. — Some warehousemen are now advocating the use 

 of wooden paving blocks for flooring. This material is not included 

 in the present standards of the underwriters' associations, but there 

 seems to be no good reason why it should not be classed as fully 

 standard. A floor made of this material would last indefinitely, and 

 there would be apparently no danger of damage from excessive 

 moisture nor loss from undue drying. The suggestion is certainly 

 worth consideration by any who are preparing to build. The cost, 

 however, would be rather high. 



If for any reason a standard floor is not built, the owner should be 

 very careful to have a good, substantial wooden floor. In the first 

 place, substantial pillars of brick or other strong material should be 

 used, and they should be placed often enough to make a strong foun- 

 dation for the floor. Sleepers should be of the best material, not 

 less than 6 by 8 inches in diameter. The flooring should be not less 

 than 2 inches in thickness and should be splined or tongued and 



