LEADING VEGETABLE CROPS iS/ 



"The temperature of the storage house should 

 be carried as low as possible without freezing. 

 During extremely cold weather the ventilator open- 

 ings and doors should be kept closed to keep out 

 cold, and after the onions have become thoroughly- 

 chilled the house should be kept closed in order to 

 hold the temperature down and prevent the en- 

 trance of moisture during warm or rainy periods. 

 Damp, foggy weather is injurious to onions, 

 especially if it follows a period of cold, as the bulbs 

 will become covered with condensed moisture if the 

 outside air is admitted. A little artificial heat from a 

 stove or radiator may be required during excessively 

 cold weather, but so long as the temperature in the 

 house does not fall below 33° there will be no dan- 

 ger of injury. A temperature of from 34° to 36° 

 will give best results. 



"The best receptacle for storing onions is the 

 standard size slat crates 20 inches long, 16 inches wide 

 and 14 inches deep, outside measurements. The 

 material for the sides and bottom is about three- 

 eighths of an inch thick and 2j^ inches wide, four 

 pieces being used to form a side. The corners are 

 reinforced on the inside by means of three-cornered 

 pieces of oak, to which the slats are nailed. These 

 dimensions provide crates that are interchangeable, 

 the width of five being equal to the length of four. 

 These crates will also nest together when empty, 

 with one inside of two turned together. The full 

 crates are stacked in the storehouse with one by 

 three-inch strips between them to allow for the cir- 

 culation of air. 



"Onions are sometimes stored in slat bins hold- 

 ing 100 to 300 bushels each. Bags are also used to 

 some extent, but neither bags nor bins are as satis- 



