COTTON WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION. 88 
in the case of dirt floors unless drainage is unusually good. Many 
of the best warehouses, however, have dirt floors. If the drainage 
is good, the cotton will not be damaged when stored temporarily. 
When it is to be stored for any length of time, it should be placed on 
timbers that will keep it well off the ground. Most warehouses 
keep .a supply of skids or stringers, 6 by 8 inches or 4 by 6 inches. 
These timbers keep the cotton well off the ground, and there is no 
danger from damage from too much moisture. The great advantage 
of the dirt floor is the saving in cost of buildmg and insurance. The 
dirt floor does not require such high walls as are required where a 
plank or concrete floor is used, and the cost of a standard floor such 
as cement or brick is very high. The insurance rate is 25 cents 
higher on plank floors. 
Concrete.—There is a wide difference in opinion among ware- 
housemen on the advisability of using concrete as a floor. In the 
first place, there is the very high cost. In the second place, it is 
contended that cotton will be damaged when stored in contact with 
such a floor. Others are highly in favor of using it and do not think 
that the cotton damages to any appreciable extent. It seems safe, 
however, to state that there is some danger unless there is perfect 
underdrainage. If a suitable space under the floor is built up with 
coarse, clean sand, as required by the standards, and a proper outlet 
is maintained for any water, it seems that damage from this source 
is almost negligible. If, however, the drainage is not sufficient, there 
will certainly be some damage. ‘This is especially true if the cotton 
is too damp when stored. It is also claimed that cotton will lose 
weight when in contact with a concrete floor during excessively dry 
‘Seasons. 
Paving blocks—Some warehousemen are now advocating the use 
of wooden paving blocks for floormg. This material is not included 
in the present standards of the underwriters’ associations, but there 
seems to be no good reason why it should not be classed as fully 
standard. <A floor made of this material would last indefinitely, and 
there would be apparently no danger of damage from excessive 
moisture nor loss from undue drying. The suggestion is certainly 
worth consideration by any who are preparing to build. The cost, 
however, would be rather high. 
If for any reason a standard floor is not built, the owner should be 
very careful to have a good, substantial wooden floor. In the first 
place, substantial pillars of brick or other strong material should be 
used, and they should be placed often enough to make a strong foun- 
dation for the floor. Sleepers should be of the best material, not 
less than 6 by 8 inches in diameter. The flooring should be not less 
than 2 inches in thicknéss and should be splined or tongued and 
