Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-10-12

VI 0AAODs 4 ~ % ~ Ah1Gt C4REfI8iXE
and likewise the most durable, are tn,
concrete silos. These are made Of con
crete slaves, held together in variou.
ways; concrete blocks laid together
with reinforcement, and the mono.
lithic or solid concrete wall. The hoI.
low tile, or Iowa Silo, brick siIos
stone, the common sense, or crib silo
the common stave silo, the modified
stave and double walled silos, the Wis
consin silo, the pit silo, and the COM
binatien pit and above ground silos,
are all common types of silos.
In the consideration of these differ
ent types of silos, there are certain
features in the construction that are
similar to all
Foundation of the Silo
All silos must have a foundation
and in many respects they are similar
for all, with perhaps the exception of
the pit silo, Or the combination pit and
above ground. At present no one
thinks of putting up a silo without a
good foundation, and their material
used for this may be determined by
what is most available. If sand or
gravel can be had at a reasonable cost
a concrete foundation is undoubtedly
the best. Where brick or good stone
may be had reasonably, these may be
used with equal success
In this region where it is desirable
to prevent the freezing of silage as
much as possible, there is no reason
why at least a portion of the silo
should not be underground. For this
reason the foundation may be extend
ed down as deep as it is desired to GO.
sAA@hRs 4eGtlRa3iaHS@Haa6
among farmers who had built their
foundations deep, it was found that
they considered the silage better be-
low the ground, or in the pit part of
the silo, than in any other part. While
there necessarily is more work in get
ting the silage out of the silo if the
pit is more than 5 or 6 feet below the
lower door, there undoubtedly would
be enough advantage to warrant the
arranging of some hosting apparatus
for this purpose.
Ordinarily the foundation for the
silo may be marked off carefully and
sxcavated on the inside. Then a form
and a concreate wall built from
he bottom of. the excavation and the
wooden or OTTER form of silo set on
of this. When brick, stone or con-
.rete is used, the same material may
.xtend from the bottom Of the pit up.
are should be taken to have this
oundation substantial, and if the soil
loose, the base Of the foundation
hould be widened accordingly, so as
o prevent any settling or cracking of {
he walls. 4
Floor Is
It is not necessary to concrete or !
rick the bottom of the silo. although s
.rdinarily this is done. If the soil is I
pen and porus there may be more y
rainage than needed, and in any
vent the silage will not be so easily {
leaned up from a dirt floor as from Z
ne of concrete, stone or brick. :
1t is advisable to round out the bot !,
of the silo to some extent, similar !
D what is usually done in building :
isterns. :
In case the silo is in ground that is l
pit to be seepy, and it is possible to ;
o so. a drain should be laid from the 7
ottom of the silo to lower ground. v
his opening in the silo may be closed :,
hen the silo is to be filled, and only u
pened when it is empty.
Doors :
The doors or openings through a
Thich the silage is to be taken as used q
eeds to be given very careful consid- o
ration. There is perhaps more trou- Ct
lie with the doors, and more silage cl
poiled from the improper construc- n
on of this part, than any other.
They should be large enough to get d.
ne silage out, but not larger than le
ecessary. They should also be fitted G,
that the inside of tht silo is perNJ
sctly smooth, so that the silage viii
as readily past the doors as any Q,
her part. in
The usual size of the doors is about h,
} inches wide by 80 inches high and It
lere may be two to three feet Of o,
,ace between them. However, in s,
.rtain forms of CONSTRUCTION the nj
,ors are continuous. There is an ad- n,
in the continuous doors, as to
admit of removing all the silage la
ithout having to lift it above the sur
ce of the silo.
The matter Of doors IN q large silo eli
of course be Of more consequence IN
an in a small one, because there will W,
relatively much more silage to put I'll
the doors. Where the contin- tn
us door is used some form of con-
must be employed to hold the
o rigid, otherwise there will be diff. tn,
.ulty in keeping the silage about the ir
ors. be
CHI
the roof is NOT essent;aI D..