The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1919-12-17
FARMERS WORRY
over SILO TYPES
Four Kinds From Which To.
Make ChoiCe-ConCrete, Tile,
Slave, and Wood Hoop
CONCRETE HAS GREATER LIFE
Wooden Types Have Low Initial Cost,
But Do Not Last Congratulated
Tile Good-Write Division of Elk
tension for Building Information.

(Which type shall it be?" is one Of
the perplexing questions which faces
the farmer who anticipates building "a
silO. He wants to combine service
with cost, and therefore thinks much.
Four kinds of silos are being built,
all of which are successful, but many
farmers are of the opinion that the
concrete is the cheapest and most sat
isfactory when its long life is con-
sidered. The other three types are
the vitrit1ed tile, the stave and the
wooden hoop.
The Concrete.
The concrete silo is built exclusive
ly of cement, reinforced with iron
rods, or woven wire. The first cost
Of building such a silo is rather great
er than of building the other types,
but for durability no silo can compare
with it. Therefore the cost can be
spread over a long period of years.
Other advantages are, it cannot burn,
blow over, rot, or allow vermin to en-
ter
Vitrified Vile.
Many things said of concrete also
can be said of the vitrified tile, ma
terial out of which a most efficient
silo can be built. Initial costs vary
very little.
This type will last indefinitely, will
resist storms if the tile is properly re-
lnfOrced and will deteriOrate very lit
tie from temperature fluctuations.
Inner walls, however, from this type
Of silO, sometimes are left with jags
underneath which air pockets form as
the silage settles and hangs. This can
be avoided, though, by using precau-
ton in the construction ofSthe inside.
No prospective builder will make a
mistake in selecting a vitrifled tile
silO.
Stave Silos.
Many manufacturers have made a
speciality of stave silos, and have given
them wide advertisement because of
cheaphess of construction, and of a
patented joint door fitting.
It's low cost and ease of erection
have made it the most widely built
type. ALI of the firms selling stave
silos have good ones, but the patented
door feature has greater value as
an agents talking point than it has
for the preservation of feed.
The stave silo keeps ensliage well,
but its principal disadvantage is the
fact that its life is short. It's useful
ness, however, can be prolonged by
the frequent use of paint, and the
tightening Of guys and hoops. Woods
to be used in construction which give
order: red wood, cypress, Oregon fir,
and Southern yellow pine.
The wooden hoop silo, two types of
which are in use, is the cheapest. One
type is constructed with oak or elm
hoops to which matched tongue and
grooved boards are nailed from the in
side. The inner wall thus is made
smooth, uniform and air tight.
The other type is built with rough
lumber nailed to the hoops. Inside of
the barrel is then covered either
with wooden or metal lathing, to which
one-half or three-fourths inch of plas-
Ter is applied.
Both of these types, if properly con-
structed, have essentials of good silos,
to-wit: they exclude air, and retain
moisture; have a smooth perpendicu-
lar; and sufficient resistance to with
stand inside pressure and outside wind
force. Their life varies from eight to
fifteen years.
Farmers frequently choose one OF
these types because they have an
abundance Of wood, the cost of which
Is therefore much less to them. The
total cost, however, depends upon the
size. Under present prices the price
ranges from $1.50 to 50 for each top
capacity.
Construction detail may be procured
from the Division of Extension, Knox
vile, Tenn.