The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-31
FARMS AND FARMERS
Short Talks With Men Who Guide
the PlOW.
Many Questions About the Farm, Answered
by DIR. w. L. Jones, Formerly of
the Southern Cultivator.
Silos and EnsiIace.

We have been noting carefully all the evil
denoe for and against silos and ensilage and
have become satisfied that they are valuable
parts of q farm equipment. They are con-
stantly gaining ground in the dairy regions of
the NORTH and though less tried at the south
the testimony is decidedly III their favor. When
first introduced in the United States it was
supposed the silo would have to be under
ground. Pits, with cemented walls of brick,
were considered indispensable, 1t is now well
established that they can be built of wood and
above ground. Indeed, many have reached
she conclusion that above ground silos are
preferable to those under ground. 1t was
originally supposed that the temperature under
ground would be more favorable from its
greater GOODNESS in warm weather. But opin-
ion is now growing in favor of above ground
silos, because the walls are dryer and the dis
position Of the ensiage to mould on the outside
Is less. For like reason, the wooden slo is
preferred to the bricb-it is dryer. Ghe OBJ
lection to wood is that it rots quickly in con-
tact with damp ensilage. To obviate this it
has been suggested that the inside lining be
heavily coated with boiled tar or pitch to pre-
vent absorption of moisture. In building above
ground, either posts may be set in the ground
or sills laid on the surface and the house
!
be not less Than six inches wide; eight inches
would be better, The studding should be
nicely covered with tarred building paper,
both on inside and outside before the planks
are put on. The outside may be weather.
boarded or planks nailed on upright; the
inside should be ceiled with thick flooring,
tongue and grooyed. This arrangement is
practically air tight, as much so as it can be
made.
The shape and dimensions of the silo are
important. 1t should be long, narrow and
deep and divided into several compartments
Thus 32x8x12 feet would be good, conve-
nient shape, or the height might be less run
ming down to eight feet. At the ends and in
the dividing partitions doors, in sections saw
three OF them, one above the other, would add
10 the facility of taking out the ensilage when
feeding it. The stuff should always be taken
from the top, and after it is taken down three
or four feet the upper section of door could be
removed and the remainder reached with less
climbing, These sections of doors work in I'D
and down grooves so they can be lifted out
The object in having narrow silos divided into
small sections is that one section NAV be-
emptied before another is disturbed, and thus
as little surface as possible exposed to the air.
Ensilage spoils quite rapidly on exposure to
air When it is taken out by removing the top
layer the surface exposed will come up with
the next days feed, and thus will not be ex-
posed long enough to spoil.
We omitted to say that roof must be built
over the silo to exclude rain. Some put a
layer OF straw on top of the ensilage and stout
planks on this. Tarred paper should be put
on the first set of planks and then another
layer of planks. The paper will be between
she two. Silos are not expensive. We are
now having two of them constructed one
under ground with nine-inch brick wall, thor
oughly cemented, and 16x8x12 feet the other
above ground, as described above, 16x9x9 feet.
The cost of the two will be $255. A farmer
could get up wooden one with home material
In part, which would not cost moro than $50 to
$50 Now is good time to build one and have
1t ready to receive peavines and forage corn.
Remember how difficult and troublesome it is
to cure peavines; the silo removes all that 1t
makes you independent of weather and econo-
misses house room. You can put more in a silo
than in a barn five times as large if filled with
dry forage; that is to say, silos are much
cheaper than barns. Ensilage may contain no
more nutriment than dry forage, but it is GER
family more relished by stock, and portions of
plants (stalks) are eaten as ensilage which are
rejected when dried. WILL,