Harvesting and Storage 193 



a layer of tongue-and-groove ceiling. If desired, joists 

 may be placed across the building on top of the eave 

 plates, and the sheathing, paper, and tongue-and-groove 

 material nailed to the under side of them instead of to 

 the rafters. These joists, if securely nailed to the 

 plate, will serve for tying the sides of the building 

 together, as well as for carrying the insulated ceiling. 

 In a large house this method of ceiling is very satisfac- 

 tory, as it gives loft space above the storage room and 

 requires less ceiling material. 



" The sides of the building should be tied together, to 

 prevent spreading. This can be done by nailing 2 by 

 4 inch pieces to the plates or to the lower ends of the 

 rafters. It would be an advantage to have these pieces 

 over the bin supports. 



" The space between the walls should be left open, 

 because any material used to keep out the cold will 

 absorb moisture. Many storage houses have been built 

 with sawdust, shavings, or similar material between the 

 walls, but this practice should never be followed. Saw- 

 dust will take up moisture and when once wet will never 

 dry out. This moisture will keep the house damp and 

 cause the walls to rot. The air space is a good insulator 

 if the walls are made tight, and they will be tight if 

 the plans given are followed. 



" Thorough ventilation is necessary in a storage house. 

 This is provided by means of windows, doors, and ventil- 

 ators in the floor and through the roof. The openings 

 in the floor around the stove prevent overheating the 

 potatoes near the stove. The bottom of the windows 

 should be within 8 inches or 2 feet of the floor. 

 The windows and doors must be made so as to close 

 tightly to keep out the cold. All windows should be 



