The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-11-28

there would be calves, heiters, bull
and possibly some colts on smaller
rations Of silage. But we will not figure
on these last and leave Mr.. J. T. P. to
build second silo when he shall have
demonstrated for himself that it is a
desirable feature and he needs another
for the other stock.
How long will silage be needed in
this inquirer's locality9 We can only
estimate it and name $50 days per
year. This gives 900 pounds $50 times,
or 135 OCO pounds. Now add 90 per
cent. for waste and settling, which is
about right for any method OF curing
and he needs a capacity Of 162, 900
pounds or 81 tons. It is common to
over estimate the weight of silage per
cubic foot because the early expert
ments we're made with rather greener
material than is commonly put in now.
We will fix on 80 pounds per Fquare
foot. Divide 162. 900 by 80 and we find
the contents of the needed silo to be
8. 400 cubic feet, We will fix on 15 feet
as the diameter most desirable for the
number of animals named and proceed
to find the height.
The area of a circle is found by squar
ing the diameter and multiplying the
product by decimal 1854, which gives
176 2 square feet as the area of the silc.
Dividing 540O by 176 z gives 3O.6 feet
as the height or depth Of the silo. If
the ground is hilly or rolling we would
advise locating when possible so part
of this depth can be in sidehiIl and
open at bottom on a level with the
floor which it is proposed to feed the
silage. Then build on that leveled por
tion the balloon or stsve frame as de ,
sired. Put roof on the structure and
provide for filing from the top II
the hillside can be utilized the cost of
carrier can be reduced and the silo
easier filed.
MG;z9 or Indian corn is far the best
crop to put in the silo. o her crops
can be used and it is desirable to plant
in the corn twining beans to add more
forage and more highly heterogeneous
forage, but corn should, in most cases,
be the main dependence. There are a
number of good cutters on the market
and we do not set up as being well
enough informed to name the best. We
have had experience with half dozen
which do satisfactory work in good
hands. Recently we saw a convenient
and doubtless satisfactory cutter and
power made in Vermont on exhibition
and selling freely to G 9orgia farmers
at their State Fair The ST.. Adams,
Vt, cutters and horse (Tread) powers
have considerable popularity where
known, but J. T. P. better consult the
advertising columns of his agricultural
papers and by correspondence ind
what suits his own judgment and
purse, remembering that ordinarily it
is best to deal with makers near at
hand or with an agent who has accom-
mediation enough to keep machine on
hand from which he will supply rep airs
and deal with no others.
1t is good plan to have neighbors
unite in the purchase Of machinery of
this kind and run it together. Buy
such as has capacity Of TO tons per
hour, and not only cut silage but other
kinds Of forage and use the power for
threshing and wood saving, and pos
sibly grinding grain in localities where
grist mills are far apart.
To build the stave silo the bulletin
plan named gives complete directions.
If J. 7. P. does not get it he will need
after leveling foundation to nail round
on it short pieces sawed to fit together
and a second course to fit with j 'ints
broken over the first. This need not
be exactly circular in form. but the in
side needs to be 80 formed that when
the studding is set up on the inner edge
the boarding inside will pass down
smooth to cover it. In both forms the
frame on the foundation should be laid
in fresh cement mortar and nailed
down into the cracks of brick or stone,
then nailed together when the second
course is laid on.
A door way is provided for in both
forms, narrow and the length of dis
tance between hoops in stave silo and
as wide as the studding or twice as
wide as space between two studs and
set apart so no two doors are close
enough together to weaken the sbruc
ture in the balloon frame silo, plans of
which it is desirable to see before build
ing to save planning the details all
out for yourself.
FRANK E. EMERY.
The Progressive Farmer is always
glad to receive letters on farming sub