Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1913-10-10

Nails .-----------.-----.--------.---- 'A'
Total cost of materials...$44.OO y
- y
In addition to this the time OF two
men for one day is necessary to bring
the cost even to s5O.-From the hg-
ures furnished by f. w. Smith, OF
the Bonita farm, near Raymore, Mo-,
who has four silos, none of which
cost more than $4,000.
Sell a COW. build a silo and have a
few dollars left over from the pro-
ceeds. Or, better STILL sell three
cows and build Iour sllos, each of a
50-ton capacity"
This is the philosophy of F. W.
Smith, president OF the Bonita Guern-
sey Cattle Company, located on a
2O0-acre farm four and one-half miles
northeast OF Raymore, Mo. And Mr..
Smith wasn't forced to build cheap
silo either. for he had the means to
buy a more expensive one If neces-
sary. But he had heard that down
near East Lynne. Mo, in German
settlement, they had been using
homemade ST for several years
with success. nd the cost of So
ton slo was less than $50. they
found
Mr.. Smith investigated four years
ago. As a result he built four silos
for about $3.50 actual cost and they
are In as good condition now, he be-
lieves, as when built. And will be
equally as good for several years to
come.
1.-TWO men can build 50-ton silo
in one day." Mr.. Smith said recently.
THE process is simple. Nine hun
dred feet of fir flooring, few other
pieces Of cheaper lumber, some hooks
that any blacksmith can make, a hun
dred pounds OF wire and few nails
is all that is necessary" ~,EA
The Process is Simple
Here is the way Mr.. Smith built
his silos, figuring a single one at
twelve feet in diameter and twenty
feet high. to hold fifty tons.
mo foundation is necessary. Level
a piece OF ground as near the feed
barn door as possible, erect circle
frame fourteen feet square. To do
this set four posts in square, four
teen feet apart. Any kind of post
may be used, 2x4s being satisfactory.
They should be at least sixteen feet
above ground. Connect these posts
by placing a Ike board at the top
on each side of the square. and a
lx6 on the inside OF the four sides,
Joining the top and side boards to-
gether in the form OF half square.
} The completion of the circle Is built
on the ground and requires six 1x12
boards fourteen feet long Take
J four Of them TO make a square Now
saw four half lengths and place
; across the corners. Then find the
! circle This is easy with a pencil =
cord and a stake in the center of the
ground intended for a silo. After
, the circle frame has been finished,
raise 1t to the top of the connected
2X4s and nail securely.
} Two 2x4s twenty feet high will
construct the door. Through these
2X4s twelve q inch holes should be
t drilled, a foot apart at the bottom
the distance gradually increasing to-
wards the top. Drill four x Inch
> holes five feet apart, then start with
the flooring. The first piece will be
attached upright to one of the door
/ posts and the others Joined, a small
null uNiuS uotu at Tue lOp. NHel
the circle has been completed run
= twelve wire bands around 1t. Each
> band should have four strands wound
, tightly together. Twelve * inch
> hooks should be placed in the holes
. provided for them in the door posts
/, and the wire attached The end ex.
; tending into the door should have g
l long thread, so that bolts may be
: used for tightening and loosening
The :. Inch rods for the doorway
5 which are intended to hold II solid
. should not be more than twenty-four
, inches long, and the threads at each
end should allow for tap and wash.
r er in addition to the bolts.
e Closing the Door Is Easy
The closing OF the door Is a sim.
t pie process. Build from the bottom
, on the inside Of the door with pieces
Of Ar flooring, fastening each with
J small nails A small piece Of build
ing paper placed inside the door from
tor to bottom will make the silo air.