Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-05-13

There is an increased tendency to
construct silos of greater durability
than wood affords, and during the last
two years a number of solid wall con-
crete, cement plastered metal lath,
and hollow tile silos have been built,
When rightly constructed any Of these
preserve silage equally well.
Locating the Silo
As silage is heavy feed, the first
consideration in locating a silo should
be convenience for feeding, This as
rule requires it to be placed at one
end of the barn, especially if the rows
of cows face each other and there is a
feeding alley between. Placing the
silo in the barn is not advisable, for
it is not always convenient to fill, and
space is occupied that may otherwise
be used to advantage. Silos should be
so constructed and cared for as not
to need the protection of the barn.
Essentials In Plans
the prospective silo builder should
see:
l. That the diameter of the silo is
carefully determined
2. That the foundation is Of suffi-
cient width for the weight upon it,
3. That the walls of the silO are
tight, smooth, perpendicular and free
from corners. Types of silos other than
round are not satisfactory.
4. That the inside of the silo is sur
faced with aspnaltum paint or car
bolineum for the stave silo, and boat
pitch or similar product for masonry
silos.
5. That the doors are of such con-
struetion as to be easily removed.
8. That window in the silo chute is
provided to afford light, much needed
in both chute and silo.
7. That the silo has a reef which
adds to the life and appearance of tae
silo.
s. That no cheap lumber, weak re-
enforcement, or lack of care and nee
essary repairs, make the silo expen-
sive.
The silo is not at fault when poor
silage results from putting in the crop
too green or over ripe, or placing in
the silo without being finely cut
Laying Out Foundation
A stake should be driven into the
ground at the exact center Of the pro-
posed silo On the top of this stake
spike one end of a 2x4 sweep.
From the spike head measure off
and mark on the sweep the distance
to the outside and to the inside Of the
foundation wall, allowing for a wall
varying from y to 20 inches in width
depending upon the size Of the silo,
the nature of the ground and the ma
terial of which the foundation is to
be constructed. The distance from the
center of the silo to the inside Of the
foundation wall must be five TO eight
inches less than the radius Of the silo
so that the silo wall will stand in cen
ter Of foundation. Markers can then
be nailed to the sweep, and circles de-
seribed for the foundation.
When the foundation is marked out,
then dig out the trench that serves as
form for the underground part Of the
foundation. The trench may be from
5 inenes to one fot in depth, which,
with the above-gromd portion, will
give a foundation l2 to 10 inches in
depth. The sides of the trench should
be kept straight and the bottom level.
If the edge Of the trench is inclined
to cave, the trench should be filed with
eoncrelte and the forms may then be
constructed for the above.ground part
of the foundation.
A form must be built around tde
outer edge Of the foundation by the
use of l.2x4.inch material bent around
inside Of 2x4 stakes set Q ~ to 3 feet
apart. The whole inside surface is
filed with concrete thus giving a florr
4 inches in thickness continuous with
foundation y inches 70 l6 inches in
thickness While placing the concrete
set anehoring bolts One-half incn in
diameter and eighteen inches long with
an elbow on the lower end in the found
alton in a vertical position. These
bolts, six in to eight in number, should
extend ten inches above the founda-
ton wall. After the silo is complete
the slaves next TO the aneh0ring bolts
can be securely bolted to them.
silo Floor.
The silo floor may be dispensed with
only when the ground on which tae
silo is located is very firm. The adj
vantages Of a floor are: The silo can
be easily cleaned; protects silage from
rats; and no loss from spoilage at bot
tom. A tile Of vitrified sewer pipe
should be laid under the flor. This
drain removes excess moisture when
from mistake or bad weather cOndi-
tions the silage crop is put into the
mouth Of the drain should be covered
with a hnnuv wire anrnnr. ~ lhn nah