Evening journal., 1905-06-13
AN IDEAL SILO.
"a Concrete silo Is n Perfect siiO,"
SO Say Virginia Farmers.

"a Concrete siIo Is a Perfect Siio,"
SO Say Virginia Farmers.
II we were called upon to describe In
the fewest possible words q epncrete
silo. we would say a perfect slo. We
are moved 20 make this declaration
from the fact that for the last three
years we have been feeding from Fifty
to seventy head OF dairy cattle from a
silo that may justly be called by either
name. This may seem to be putting it
rather strong. but during all these
years we have not thrown away 100
pounds Of silage, neither have we fed
any rotten or spoiled silage. We feel
justified, therefore, in calling a con-
crete silo a perfect one, says a firm Of
Virginia farmers in American Agricul-
turist. In making the necessary exca-
walton for our silo we found an excel
lent quality Of coarse sand. almost
gravel. This we saved for mixing with
portland cement Of the very best quail
ity. We excavated twelve feet below
the surface. This carried us four feet
below the level Of our stable floor. In
this we made no mistake, as 1t was a
very easy matter 10 raise the silage
that distance from the bottom Of the
silo. Next we built a set Of forms out
of one inch hemlock boards to be used
in the construction Of the walls. These
forms were TO be placed upon the in
side and outside Of the walls and fas-
tened together by rods, so as to be
easily detachable when It was neces-
sary to raise them. They were about
eight feet long and two feet high. This
was as high as four masOns could lay
the wall in one day and work conven-
iently. The forms were placed eight
cen inches apart, the thickness Of the
walls, and firmly held together by the
rods. This formed a continuous circle
around the silO.
Methods of Construction.
The bottom Of the silo was thorough.
" grouted to the extreme outside OF
the walls, and the construction of the
walls was begun upon this grouting
Each morning found the walls sufn
ciently set, or hardened. to proceed
with the work The sand and cement
were mixed in the proportion Of foul
Of the former and one OF the latter
The estones-sharp, Jagged onaes are pref
erable-were Of any size from a hens
egg TO fifty pounds. Great care was
taken that no stone should reach with
in three inches of the forms on eithel
side. This space was thoroughly
grouted with mortar only. This pre-
vented the frost from having con
tinuous passage through the walls anc
freezing the silage. The door frame.
were securely attached by taking {
number Of old wagon tires, cuttinl
them in five foot lengths. One end wa
bent over six inches and firmly imbed
ded in the masonry. By cutting ;
heavy thread on the other end. extend
Ing through the door frame and fasten
ing with a nut. or bur, it was secure
The frames were set four. feet from tn
/ bottom Of the silO, on a level with ou
stable floor The wagon tires were nv
feet apart and placed on each side o
the door frames. The walls when com
| pleted were comparatively smooth
The only additional treatment they re
ceived was a heavy coat Of pure &C
ment washed inside and outside wit
an ordinary mason's brush.
Capacity. Cost and Quality.
Our silo is twenty-five feet In diane
ter, inside measure; thirty feet high
| with walls eighteen inches thick
has q capacity OF nearly 800 tons. /
has board roof. circular in form, GOV
cred with asbestus roofing felt. W
can see no reason why this silo shoul
not stand for many generations.
cost, counting all labor and materials
nearly ST0O. We are confident tina
with our previous experience we cOul
construct another Of same size an
quality for $500 to $3.50.
It seems strange that any one shoul
hesitate about deciding which kind I
erect, provided stones are easily prC
cured. When concrete structure
once finished it is practically flnishe
for a lifetime There Is no shrinkln
OF slaves or tightening Of hoops an
no painting, no admission Of air bs
tween the slaves and consequent spoil
ed silage, no rotting down of the whol
structure in a few years, TO be repla'
ed by a new one.