The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1914-08-14

History of the Silo-The practise or
preserving feed in alright receptacles
has been in use for centuries in GER
tain sections of the world. In most
cases, this was accomplished by dig
ging q pit a few feet in the ground
and, after the feed was placed in and
thoroughly packed. it then was COW
cred with straw and q foot or two OF
earth. Such a scheme of feed stor-
age required a special type of soil and,
at best, resulted in a rather large
loss of the feed stored in this manner.
AS the value of the silo became better
known, pits Of the above type were
constructed and lined with tile, brick,
or lumber. This method gave very
good satisfaction although the capa-
city was comparatively less than the
upright type.
During the last % or 80 years, the
use of the silo in the United States has
become quite common. At first, how
ever, they were accepted very slowly,
as the United States department OF
agriculture reported only 80 in use
in 1882. Michigan, Massachusetts
and Maryland were the first states to
report the silo as an established sue
cess. Today, we find the silo used
chiefly in the dairy countries and a
list of the dairy states will also be a
list OF the states ranking first in their
approval of the silo. Patented types
of silos have simplified the construc-
ton to such an extent that there is
little excuse for anyone to continue
in the stock business at the present
time without one.
Essentials in Siio Construction
| The principle involved in the presery-
| ing of a green crop in a silO may be
compared TO the preserving OF fruit.
| 1t is necessary to have an alright
structure of proper shape to insure
uniform settling and smooth int
rior surface to the walls OF the silO.
| The square silo has all Of the neces-
sary requirements except that the ST.
| lage in such a structure fails TO pack
sufficiently In the corners to prevent
| the air from entering and. OF course,
loss is the result Poorly fitting
doors quite often permit the air to
enter the silo and the silage molds
as a result 1t is also necessary TO
have the walls constructed OF ma
terial that will hold the moisture that
is in the silage as 1t is necessary for
the proper preservation of the ensiled
crop.
Types of SiIcs-The factors to con
slider In the selection OF silo may be
expressed as follows: Cost. simplicity
OF construction. durability. wind. frost
and fire resistance, portability and ap-
| pearance. Any structure that will
provide the necessary factors OF silo
and, at the same time, meet the above
conditions. should be considered a de-
sirable type. Satisfactory silos are
constructed from wood staYe. clay tile.
concrete. brick and steel.
The wooden silo represents the first
| of the patented types. Its usefulness
depends upon the kind OF wood used.
strength of hoops. convenient and sat
lsfactOry doors. growing OF slaves.
4 dnQ COlAliAOh "OoQS
used In the order OF importance from
the standpoint OF usefulness are red
wood. cypress. Oregon flr. pine and
| tan1arack.
The clay tile silo is growing in pop
ularity based largely upon its durable
qualities. II Is non-combustible and.
when properly reinforced, is a stable.
permanent structure. Careful work
manship is necessary, due 10 the great
number OF joints found ia this type OF
silo. Freight and drayage charges
should be carefully considered when
estimating cost OF this type OF struc-
ture.
Concrete is being used successfully
| as a material for the construction OF
sllos either as solid walled or mono
lithic structures, as concrete slaves
| or as concrete blocks. Extensive re-
Enforcement is absolutely essential
with this type OF structure Proper
| experience In cement construction.
| convenience and cost OF materials and