198 The Sweet Potato 



supports, 1 by 4 incli boards are nailed, leaving a 1-ineh 

 space between them. The ends of the bins parallel with 

 the outside wall of the house must be built first, because 

 there is not room enough to work between the bin and 

 the outside wall. In making the slat false floors, 2 by 

 4 inch scantlings are cut to go across the bin and placed 

 on edge, one near each end and one in the center. To 

 these 1 by 4 or 1 by 6 inch boards are tacked, leaving 

 a 1-inch space between them. If left loose, the slat 

 floor racks can be taken out when the house is cleaned 

 and disinfected during the summer. The size of the 

 bins will depend somewhat on the arrangement and size 

 of the house, but it is not advisable to make them more 

 than 5 feet wide, 6 to 8 feet deep, and 10 to 12 feet long. 

 There should be a 6 to 12 inch space between the walls 

 and the bins, to allow a circulation of air. It is neces- 

 sary to slat up both sides of the scantlings between the 

 bins, in order to leave an air space between the potatoes 

 in the different bins. The construction here described 

 allows a 4-inch space under the bins, and 6 inches 

 between the bins and outside wall." 



Operation of the storage-house. 



Before filling the storage-house each season, all 

 decayed and mummified potatoes and rubbish should 

 be removed, the house thoroughly swept, and then 

 sprayed with some good solution such as corrosive 

 sublimate,, prepared as follows: Corrosive sublimate, 1 

 part; hydrochloric acid, 2 parts; water, 1000 parts. 

 Corrosive sublimate is very poisonous and should be 

 handled as a poison. It should be mixed in a wooden 

 vessel, as it will very quickly corrode any metal con- 

 tainer. 



