The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-03-12

The fencing is set in the forms before
filling in any concrete, having been
cut into lengths sufficient to go en-
tirely around the silo and permit tie
ing the ends together or to the re-
~inforcing rods or pipes about the door
opening. In filling In the concrete
this wire should be kept to the out
side of the center of the wall. In silos
with diameters of IL feet and
over, double the reinforcing in the
lower third of height.
The door opening may be of either
the continuous or intermittent type,
but in each case must be carefully
reinforced. The continuous door open
ing seems more popular because more
convenient and is reinforced by set
ting inch-pipe on each side Of the
opening. The wire is securely tied to
these n the pipes themselves are
secured by means of three-quarter or
seven eighth inch round bars spaced
twenty inches like the rungs of q
ladder. The door itself consists of
2x10 planking, cut into two-foot
lengths and laid in a groove moulded
into either side of the door opening.
A small form that will slip between
the main wall is used to mould the
door opening.
Concrete is more or less porous and
considerable criticism has been made
concerning the porous character Of
concrete silo walls. The concrete, it
is said, conducts moisture from the
siIage next the walls, causing it to
dry-mould. 1t is possible for this to
happen and to guard against such
trouble the wall should be washed
with cement and then painted with
coal tar. This tarring makes the wall
impervious and there is no possible
loss from that source. The tarring
of the wall is really an essential fea-
ture in the construction of a success
full concrete silo.
The mixture Used in building silos
is one part cement to three Of sand
and five of rock. The sand and the
crushed rock or gravel must be clean;
that is, free from clay. silt or vege-
table matter. Concrete made from
dirty materials is not durable and
soon crumbles and cracks. The cement
should be from fresh stock and the
mixing should be done with particu-
lar care. Enough water should be add
ed t. NAL what is known as a poured
concrete. If the concrete is not thin
it win be difficult to lamp it about
the reinforcing and door opening.
During the process of building, the
wall should be kept quite wet and
before placing a fresh course of con-
crete on the old the wall should be
thoroughly soaked and a very thin
sprinkling OF cement placed at the
point of union. If possible, the silo
should be finished at least thirty days
before filling.
Roof Not Necessary.
A roof is not absolutely necessary,
but for the comfort OF the feeder is
often desirable. A door Is not essen
tial where q good clay bottom is pres
emit. III a concrete floor is put into
the silo it should be provided with a
drain. Generally 1T is better to omit
the concrete floor. A chute should be
built for removing the silage and for
attaching this chute to the silo bolt
holes should be provided in the process
Of building.
The size of the gilo is determined By
two factors; the diameter depends up
on the size of the herd, the height dee
ponds upon the length OF the feeding
season. For best results at least two
inches in depth should be fed ont Of
tho siio daily after opening. In a