The circle banner., 1923-04-27
Pit SilOs
BY @. Nj. Yerrington
County Agent, Custer County

The question of pit silos in those
communities where conditions are
adapted for same has often come up
for consideration among the farmers
of the county. So far, without a
doubt, the pit silo is the cheapest
silo that can possibly be constructed
on the farm. / realize that there are
other silos that would be much more
| pleasant to build and much more
pleasant to feed from than is the
pit. Nevertheless, nowadays the
county agent has to talk in practical
terms to his farmers. The idea is to
get as many silos as possible, in those
sections where pit silos can be profit
ably constructed. If man can af-
ford something better than pit silo
so much the better. There is an
other very important point to con-
slider in building pit silo outside
of the original cost. That is, the
equipment for filling it. A very in
expensive ensilage cutter can be used
where with the upright silo blower
is absolutely necessary to hoist the
ensilage and much more power re-
Quired to operate the cutter.
In the summer of 1922, three pit
silo demonstrations were put on in
Custer county. Mr.. Steigerwalt of the
Portland Cement Association was
present at these demonstrations and
helped materially in making the dem
onstrations success. First, the
sand was tested to see if the quality
was adequate for construction work.
In all three cases where these dem
Onstrations we're held, the sand, after
testing, proved to be of an inferior
quality and had to be discarded and
replaced by a better quality. The
first day of the demonstration was
devoted to putting down the founda-
ton. The foundation extended above
the surface about eight inches and
below the surface to sufficient depth
to make the foundation about three
feet deep altogether. A very lean
mixture of sand and cement was used |
In the foundation. The wall was !
eight inches wide and lots of rocks |
were used in reinforcing it. The
foundation would be allowed to stand
for one day. The third day the ex-
cavating was started and the wall
vent down, each coat of plaster being
,ut on just as quick as the previous
,oat had dried. The mixture used
IN the wall was one part of cement
% two parts of sand. This made a
Tery lean mixture for the wall and
las proved to be adequate, providing +
rood sand is used and no alkali is
present in the wall to which the
laster is applied. The material and
abor in connection with a Aston ca
acity pit si1o 12x20 costs less than
100 and, as mentioned above, very
mall and inexpensive ensilage cut
er can be used in filling this type
f silo. One silo that we put down
he past season proved to be in a
pot where too much alkali existed
0 make 1t possible to continue the
vork. The only solution in this case
J a four-inch solid concrete wall.
The first pit silos built in Custer
ounty were put down in the years
915 and 1916. A number of these
it siols have caused considerable
'ouble during the last few years, due
, the fact that very inferior quail
y of sand was used in their con-
DO lar, C0o PIT SllOS put :
own last season are standing up in
ne shape and from all indications
ut very little, if any, repair work
i'll have to be done in years to come.
/ some instances farmers have start :
out with pit silos and later have 6
zen able to put up an upright silo. :
he idea is to get as many to put in c
t silos as possible and after they :
ice have ensilage for their livestock
ith but few exceptions they make :
e remark they didn't see how they
-er got along without it.
Right now, in the neighborhood of
fty silos, most of which are pit, are :
operation in Custer county. We
,pe next year to put down a num- =
r of others and from all indica-
ms quite large number of farm :
$ are becoming interested. One of =
e best silos in the county is on the L
rm of Guy E. Farnum, about three
lies northeast of Miles City. This :
pit silo, 12x25 feet, and has :