Grand Forks herald., 1916-07-29

It is coming to be realized by farm
ers everywhere that there is no i'm.
provement more essential on the farm
than the silo. This Is because live
stock raising must form a part Of the
activities on every we'll regulated
farm. and by the use Of q silo the
following advantages are secured:
More and better livestock can
be kept on the farm.
2-Saves all the crop sliced, and
there Is no waste in feeding.
S-1nsures succulent feed, winter
and summer.
5-silo can be filled several times
during the winter, with corn fodder.
thus avoiding all waste in feeding the
fodder.
6-silo is q cheap and convenient
place to store feed.
While the above ground silo Is gen-
orally recognized as tho most desir-
able form Of silo, there nevertheless
are many places where the pit silo;
or underground silo. is found very &C.
ceptable. The pit silo is not new, for
It has been in use in Europe for CEN
turies. However, it is only recently
that 1t has been put into use to any
extent in the United States. In Sec
tions Of moderate rainfall, where the
water in wells Is not nearer the sur
face than 20 to 80 feet. and the soil
IS not gravel or sand, the pit silo ia
proving very satisfactory, and has the
following advantages:
First. cost OF construction. The
largest item Of cost in construction of
the pit silo is, Of course, the labor
connected with excavating, II this
can be done by the help on the farm
at odd times, or by exchanging work
with a neighbor. there need not be
any cash outlay for this item. For a
pit siio IL feet in diameter and Is
feet deep, the total cost outside OF
labor, varies from $45 to $75, depend
ing on the cost of sand, gravel and
cement. The cost Of excavatins the
dirt would, Of course, depend on the
wages at which the work was f1gur-
ed. Estimates of this cost by those
who have built them varies almost as
much as the cost Of cement, sand and
gravel.
The second advantage is the small
expense in filling. AS it is not neces-
sary to elevate the silage, a much
smaller and less expensive machine
is required, and also a great deal less
power.
The third advantage-the pit silo
very essential feature Of any silo. .
The fourth advantage-an even
temperature is maintained throughout
the year. Being below the ground,
the silage will not freeze, nor will 1t
overhead II kept over the summer.
The fifth advantage-the silo will
not blow down. Being in the ground.
which gives 1t great advantage. es-
pecially over the light wood silo.
The sixth advantage-it is simple
and easy to construct, and can be
made by any farmer at slack time
Of the season. without tho aid of
skilled labor.
Points to be Kept In Mind.
There are certain points which
must be kept in mind in constructing
the pit silo, in order that 1t may give
the best results:
First-The silo must be located In
we'll drained soil where tho water
does not come too near tho surface.
The pit silo In better adapted to the
semi-arid regions, but may be con-
structed in tho humid sections whore
conditions are right. It is not advis-
low the permanent water table. How
ever. common practice IL to go down
10 to 20 feet, or until water Is struck,
and then put q short si1o above
ground. This ds very Satisfactory ar
second-rhe sf1o should have q
curb extending 2 or fest above the
distance below the surface.
Third-The walls Of the si1o should
be plastered from three-fourths tc
one inch thick with q good quality OF
cement and sand, mixed ono of CO.
1nent to three Of sand.
Fourth-The walls should be wash
Cd with a thin coat Of cement to keer
them air tight and water tight
Fifth-The walls should be made
perpendicular and smooth, 20 thu
silage will settle evenly.
sixth-A good cover, provided viii
doors, should be put on tho silo, tc
hold the heat IN and also to keeI
animals and dirt out
Building Of PIT $40.
The building Of the pit silo is 9
very simple prooe1- The nrvt point
to be considered is to locate It a
nearly as possible to where the si1ag<
is to be fed II the feeding ia done II
the barn this might be at one side OF
end Of the barn, or evon IN tho barn
under a driveway. This would admit
Of uktnG a common feed carrier
which could be extended ont over thl