12 BULLETIN SOI. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
of this with other methods of storage. Again there must be con- 
sidered the cost of platform, shed, and yard hydrant piping, 
as well as the land area, all of which unduly increase the cost per 
bale capacity where the plant is too much expanded or scattered. 
Generally speaking, 100 feet may be considered the best length 
(between exterior walls) for the warehouse compartment. The 
height of the compartment, while limited by the flcor area as re- 
gards allowable volume, should be such as to give a minimum of 
18 inches between the surface of the cotton and the under side of 
overhead beams. "Where the sprinkler system is installed, the story 
height should permit the placing of the spray head at least IS 
and preferably 36 inches above the cotton as well as a suitable 
distance (as later specified) from the ceiling. 
It is desirable that the compartment be sufficiently light to allow 
for reading the tag numbers on the bales of cotton. This is one 
strong influence in favor of the single story compartment, as sky- 
lights can be used to good advantage. Wnere there are a number 
of stories, compartments not lighted from above should not exceed 
100 feet in length unless lighted by electricity. 
The above principles are applied in the accompanying plans. 
Figure 1 shows single story compartments 50 feet by 100 feet in 
size having a story height of 13 feet, this being a proportion well 
suited to any type of construction. Compartments suitable for 
fire-resistive construction are shown in figures 2 and 3 having story 
heights of 8J feet and 13 feet respectively. A rather unusual pro- 
portion for the compartment, and one which mr ' be justified only 
by extraordinary limitations of the site, is shov u in figure 1. It 
is worthy of note that this building may be constructed free of 
columns, with compartments 30 feet wide by 1/0 feet long. In 
the case of two-story compartments, which may be applied advan- 
tageously to slow-burning construction, the entire volume between fire 
walls should be considered as a single compartment from the stand- 
point of fire hazard. The total volume for two stories is slightly 
in excess of the preferred standards where floors are 50 feet by 
100 feet with a story height of 8J feet, though this particular ar- 
rangement involves but a slight penalty from insurance rates, and, 
where sprinklered, there is less hazard than in a single story com- 
partment where the bales are tiered. 
"Where funds for the investment are limited, it often may be desi- 
rable to build compartments of such area as will give a volume two, 
three, or even four times the preferred limit of 72.000 cubic feet. In 
such case it may be well to construct the compartment with a di- 
mension of 100 feet between exterior walls and space division fire 
walls at such distances that additional walls can be built in later at 
