STORING VEGETABLES 'JX 



is entirely too dry and too hot. Poor ventilation is 

 usually afforded and the stench of decaying veg- 

 etables readily finds its way to the rooms above, 

 rendering living conditions more or less unpleasant, 

 and, in many cases, decidedly insanitary. Yet with 

 some little thought in the construction of the house 

 cellar these objections can be largely obviated, and 

 the place made a very satisfactory storage for the 

 family supply of fruits and vegetables. 



Excellent insulation can usually be secured at 

 little cost, and it is only necessary to remember 

 that cold air settles while warm air rises, to arrange 

 for and secure splendid ventilation in such a way as 

 to maintain relatively low temperatures. The prob- 

 lem of ordinary storage, except for a very few days 

 of winter, is not a problem of keeping warm, but of 

 keeping cool. In laying the floor above the cellar, 

 matched lumber should be first laid over the joist 

 and then a heavy layer of waterproof building paper 

 over which the flooring should be placed. The 

 same order should follow on the ceiling of the 

 cellar under the joist. This leaves a dead air 

 space, which cuts off practically all the heat 

 from the upper part of the house and prevents 

 any odors from reaching the living rooms above. 

 The entrance to the cellar should preferably be from 

 the outside of the house. Although something is 

 lost in the matter of convenience by this arrange- 

 ment, the conditions for storage will usually be 

 greatly improved, much less dirt will be carried 

 into the house and the sanitary conditions made 

 better. In any case, the entrance door should be 

 double and should be made to fit perfectly tight, 

 somewhat on the order of the ordinary refrigerator 

 door. At least two small openings should be pro- 



