Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-07-21
EXPERIMENT STATION At AMES
DESCRIBES METHODS OF
CONSTRUCTION.
ovERcoMEs OBJECTIONS
TO SLAVES CEMENT
Iowa SiIo Constructed Of Hollow Tile
at Less Cost Than Wooden Struc.
tures-ShouId Last for Generations
Materials Easily Procured-Susges.
tons on H9" to Build.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Ames, July 21.-The Iowa experiment
station started to investigate the silo
proposition two years ago. The object
in view was to devise a permanent ma
sorry silo that could be built up at
not to exceed twice the cost of stave
silo. The perfected sio "The Iowa
Silo." as it is called, is not only as
permanent as anything that can be
built. but can actually be put up at
less cost than the best stave silos.
Thirteen of these silos were in use
In various parts of the state last win
ter. the cost was from $215 to $405, the
average being between $500 and $3.50
for 16x35 silo with concrete roof
The silos all gave excellent satisfac
tiop in actual use.
The value Of the silo to the stock
farmer is becoming widely appreciated.
A silo means green feed the year
around. Cows give almost as much
milk on silage as on pasture, and do it
at time when cream is highest in
price. For other classes Of stock, sill
age offers cheap source Of succulent
feed. A little of it 5elps to keep the
young stock thrifty. 1t is coming into
more general use as a steer feed.
The easily erected stave silo has long
been the most popular type. and has
given fairly good satisfaction in spite
Of it's several faults. When built OF
good redwood, cypress. or Oregon fir,
a stave silo will sometimes last as long
as twenty years. Made Of the cheaper
woods which are sometimes substituted.
many such silos will not last five
years. Sta1e silos dry out badly when
empty, and unless securely anchored
are in constant danger of being blown
down. Their chief advantage is con-
venience. They can be moved with lit
tie difficulty If change in location
is found desirable
Cement has been much advertised as
a silo material, and deserves much Of
the praise that has been given it. The
chief objection is the difficulty of erec-
ton. To build a cement silo properly.
expensive forms and skilled workmen
are needed. A cement silo improperly
built is only a waste OF material Single
walled cement silos permit the silage
to freeze badly. Double walled con-
struction avoids this. but is too ex-
pensfve for general use.
Tho "iowa siio."
The Iowa Silo was designed to meet
the objections to the other types Of
silos. The material used is hollow tile,
hard burned These are made with a
special curve so as to fit smoothly into
ho SS1<, rr,oJ1 ~ f1,o ovo1yfa o.
turers Of tile in Iowa have made ar
construction and others will do so as
soon as demand springs up.
The blocks are laid horizontally
around tho silo, the Joints being laid
in cement mortar. Steel wire laid be-
tween the courses is used for REIN
forcing. The work 10 so simple that
any mason familiar with brick con-
struction can do it. especially by fol-
towing directions. The main thing is
to keep the courses level and in a true
circle, and to see that all of the joints
are air tight. If the Joints made each
day are washed with cement before
leaving them for the night all small
openings viii be filled.
The foundation for any silo should
extend into the ground three or four
feet, So as to be below the frost line.
The dirt inside is usually excavated,
in order to give more storage room.
Most Of this work may be done with a
team and scraper. The foundation may
be made Of concrete or vitrified tile
The concrete foundation is cheapest
where gravel is easily obtainable. Hard
clay is all right for a floor or it may
be covered with a layer of cement.
Roof Net Necessary.
A roof is not absolutely necessary,
but it will be great help in keeping
the silage from freezing. and will also
add to the appearance of the silo. The
most popular sort OF roof is made of
concrete A cheaper wood
en- roof can be used If desired.
The door frames are made OF con-
crete, the doors being the only part OF
the silo which Is made OF wood. They
can be replaced with no trouble and
little expense when necessary The
used in The Iowa s1lo should
last for generations with little expense
for repairs. The material used in this
silo has been tested enough to war
rant the statement that it is practical
ly indestructable. The air space in the
walls tends to preevnt freezing. There
Is less freezing In the Iowa silo than in
the stave, brick OR single walled, ce-
ment silo In cost the Iowa silo is one
of the cheapest which can be built.
The Iowa experiment station has
published two bulletins on silos. No. 100
discusses the corot01ction Of all kinds
CT siloe. No. 1T gives complete d.
recttons for putting up an Iowa silo
These bulletins may be obtained free
by writing to the bulletin section,
Ames, Iowa.
NEW SCHOOL AT IM0GENE.