West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-05-11
COUNTY FARM NOTES
John y. Devoe. Agent
Silos


corn ground is being prepared many
farmers are wishing that they would
be able TO put the coming crop I'm "a
silo but have put of building one be-
cause they cannot decide which kind
is best suited. which is the best for
the money and which one will keep
the silage the best About the only
factors which should decide the kind
Of a silo are cost and durability, as
they all keep the ensilage about the
same.
The prospective builder OF a silo
will find that he has wide selection
OF materials: wood stave, cement
staye, concrte block. monolithic con
crete, hollow tile. brick and the home
made wooden-hoop plastered silo.
The wooden stave silo has become
very popular in late years because of
the cheapness, ease and quickness OF
construction. Manufacturing firms
have made a specially of these and
have pushed their sale, getting the
price down about as low as can be
expected, consequently we find more
of these than of any other kind. They
are. however, only temporary struc-
lures, lasting anywhere from s to Is
years, depending on the lumber, the
care they get and the climate.
The concrete silo has the advantage
of the wooden one in permanence and
stability. 1t will last indefinitely:
there is no danger of blowing or burn
ing down, rotting. or being injured by
yermin. For the man who has sand
and gravel easily accessible the CON
crete silo is advisable, becadse the
first cost is the only expense, and
practically no time need be given to
keep it in good condition. The only
drawback is the initial expense.
The hollow tile silo is rapidly be-
coming very popular. 1t is, of course,
permanent, keeps silage very good.
and adds to the appearance of the
farm buildings. The initial cost is
rather high, but there should be no
expense i'm keeping them up. The dis
lance from the railroad is an impor-
tant item in considering this silo, as
the amount of hauling to be done is
considerable.
The homemade wooden-hoop plas-
| tered silo has been tried out for a
sufficient length of time to prove that
il is one of the most satisfactory silos
that can be built It's attractive feat
ures are the low cost and ease of con
struction. For the side walls ordi-
nary tongue and groove flooring is
used. and three thicknesses OF p inch
by 4 inch oak are used for the hoops.
Lath is tackled on the inside walls and
then plastered. The cost of building
one of these silos should not exceed
| Sl.OO per ton capacity. When COM
pleted and painted they make a very
good looking silo, answer all the pur-
poses OF an expensive one and will
last 10 to 10 years with reasonable
amount of care and attention.
a silo will enable you to
Harvest your corn crop when in
the highest state of palatability.
Save at least 30 per cent of your
corn crop which is ordinarily wasted.
Store your corn crop I'm less
space than in any other form.
4-Have your field clean in time
to sow winter cover crops. such as
rye.
5-Harvest your crop at less ex-
pense
6-Keep more cattle on a given area
of land than by any other method of
feeding
Have succulent feed the entire
year, feed which is beneficial to the
digestion and general health of cattle
and conducive to large milk flow.
Slave your feed where It is con
venient and easy to handle, no hauling
fodder through rain and snow.
9-Have cattle housed closely. en-
abling you To save the manure more
easily and put It where il is needed
| most.
1O-Turn cattle out in the spring
with a gain of from so to 200 pounds.
instead of loss which is usually the
case.
IL Keep your cattle Oft pasture in
the spring until the grass has had
sufficient growth to Justify turning on
| IL.
Add to the appearance OF your farm
| buildings
Ask the man who owns a sllo and
YOU will find that ne would not do
! without &c.