Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-09-30
DIAGRAM or cHEAp sILo.

zontal and nailed to the frame of the
barn SO that the edge was even with the
inside of the post. A short post, a, in
the diagram, was placed against the
larger one to keep the studding from
slipping down. A by piece, b, was
nailed to each set of studs at the corners
to stiffen the frame and make broader
corner, This piece should be so placed
that when foot wide board is nailed
to it the board will just reach the shed
ON each side. This does away with the
sharp corner in which ensilage is likely
to spoil All studs and pieces should
be in line with the sllo and the beam
above, SO that there will be no trouble
in getting it tight when boarding up.
The silo was lined with foot wide hem
lock inch boards. A space 90 feet wide
was left from the bottom to the top in
one side for the door. The boards were
nailed securely to the studs. each act
ing as post. Two lengths, 10 feet
long, were required to reach the top.
A sheathing Of tar paper which was
oily and pliable was next put on inside
the unplaned boards. This was in long
strips which reached from bottom to
top, was Tapped at the edges and held
in place by tacks with thin tin heads
Great care was taken in handling it SO
that there should be no holes Inside Of
this should be another sheathing of
boards, SO placed that the cracks should
not be in the same place as the first set
if the boards are unplaned.
found that I could get dressed pine
or spruce for nearly the same price as
hemlock, and used that. 1t was matched
and six inches wide. With this we
turned the corners without Sitting out
any pieces. The doorway was closed
when filling. We cut boards to reach
from one stud to the one above it only.
They are not nailed. Then the tarred
paper is put against them. Last doors
made Of the matched stuff are placed,
and the corn filling against them holds
them securely. No nails are used, and
they come out readily when the silo is
being emptied. The space between each
stud is separate door.
/ purchased a few cents worth of
coal gas tar and painted the inside Two
of us heated the tar and painted the in
side of the silo in half day. The
tar should be boiling hot and will then
spread easily and fill all the cracks.
After drying it is as hard and smooth
as a blackboard. 1t not only fills all
cracks, keeping out the air, but it pre-
vents absorption of moisture by the
boards A cement of s parts lime to 2
parts sand was worked in under the ends
of the boards on the bottom to prevent
their rotting and make all alright.
Two of us, neither one hardly able to
saw off the end Of board square,
armed with hammer, saw, square and
ak only, built silo 10 by IA feet
and 26 feet high in six days The
lumber bill was less than $50, and
all other expenses did not make
more than $75, including labor 1t
could be made for less. but / made
it good, so that it would last and also
be sure to save the fodder. | could not
build round silo alone | would dis
like to cart ensilage from an outside
silo and am entirely satisfied with this
one Not SO pounds were uneaten of ali
that was put in. This silo will hold
about 80 tons and cost so cents per ton
capacity &C. E. Chapman.