36 BULLETIN 277, U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
automatic sprinkler equipment, which effects a great saving in the 
cost of insurance. 
FENCES AROUND WAREHOUSES AND COTTON YARDS. 
It is very important that cotton stored in open sheds or yards 
should be fenced in. Such a fence should be made of good boards, 
securely nailed to railings, which are in turn fastened to strong posts. 
In other words, it should be a good, close, substantial board fence at 
least 6 feet in height. These fences prevent prowling, the careless 
throwing of cigarette stubs, and various other practices that fre- 
quently prove costly. It is usually possible to reduce insurance 
rates materially by taking this precaution. While it is not at all 
Fie, 13.—A standard two-story cotton warehouse. 
essential, it would be well for such a fence to be erected around all 
warehouses, together with the adjacent yards.that are used for 
handhng cotton. 
A wire fence should never be placed around yards. or sheds, for tt 
interferes with handling cotton during a fire, and consequently increases 
imsurance rates. 
FINANCIAL CONNECTION. 
When the construction of a warehouse is being contemplated, it is 
well to take into consideration the financial assistance that probably 
will be extended by the banks to those who store cotton. It is fre- 
quently the case that owners store cotton primarily for the purpose 
of obtaining money for use until the conditions of the market are 
improved. If it were possible to obtain money on the best terms, 
much cotton would be stored which at present is allowed to damage 
and remain unprotected from fire and theft. Many companies get 
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