The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-11-01


The round silo seems TO he the ideal
form. In this the entire absence Of
corners reduces the waste very ma
terially, and the space contained in
the silo is most economically used.
After the round, the square silo is the
next most desirable form, while the
rectangular is the least desirable.
/ The nearer the rectangular sio ap-
| proaches the square, the better il will
be. The smaller the proportion of 81
lage exposed to the outside walls, the
smaller will be the loss, hence large
silos are more desirable than small
ones. 1t has been found that the loss
of food constituents is much greater
near the exterior of the mass, while
/ at considerable distance from the out
side walls, the loss is greatly reduced.
! In all cases the silo should be deep in
order that the pressure caused by the
weight OF the silage may be heavy, an
important condition to aid in the ex-
clusion of the air.
The first silos constructed in this
country were made almost entirely of
masonry. 1t was thought that solidly
built aud cemented walls of stone or
brick were essential TO the preserva-
tion of the fodder. 1t soon became
evident, however, that wood silos
when carefully constructed would
make rs perfect silo, as far as the
preservation of the fodder was con.
cerned, as those made of masonry.
There is one very material advantage
found i'll the more solid form of silo.
A well made silo of stone or brick is
practically indestructible. On the
other hand, the wood silo is more or
less attacked by the acids OF the ST.
Ia ge, and this, together with the ex-
tfeme changes of moisture between
the empty and filed condition of the
silo, causes somewhat rapid decay.
In all cases the silo should be firmly
and substantially constructed. The
pressure on the walls is so great that
much care needs to be exercised in
having the studding sufficiently heavy
and close to prevent any tendency
toward bulging. When building OF
wood, the interior should be covered
with at least two thicknesses of
boards, with one or two coverings of
tarred paper between. 4 wood pre-
servative made from gas tar, applied
while hot, has been very successfully
used. The more completely all of
the woodwork is protected by some
preservatiye the more will il resist de-
cay.
\ round silo made of slaves is new
form which has come into use within
a few years, and seems to have many
desirable features. It is built on the
same plan as the large water tanks
commonly seen along railroads. The
slaves can be bought al cut and sawed
to the proper length aud bevel, and
by the use of heavy hoops can be
easily and firmly put together. Com
mon steam piping, which has been
drawn down and threaded to take a
nut, may be used in place of the strap
hoops. BY passing the threaded
hoops or steam pipes through solid
piece of oak about four inches square
on opposite sides, and by using heavy
nuts and washers, the structure may
be quite easily and firmly bound to.
gether. If it is found that shortly
after filling, the pressure is becoming
very great upon the sides of TIE silo,
the nuts may be unscrewed, and the
whole structure slightly loosened.
The slaves will frequently so shrink
as to leave air spaces between them,
while the silo is empty, but there is
no great disadvantage if ready means
for tightening and loosening the hoops
is provided. With this form of silo
there is some danger of the silage
freezing in cold climate, unless a
cheap covering with a lining of leaves
or sawdust is added.
In the construction of the silo one Of
the most important parts to be es.
pecially well made is the bottom.
This should in all cases be first we'll
stoned, then grouted with a mixture
of coarse gravel and cement, and fin
ally covered with smooth covering of
Portland cement. The essential
points in the construction of the bot
tom of the silo are to provide thorough |
drainage and to make it proof against
rats.-C. 5. Phelps of the Connecticut
Experiment Station.