22 AGRICUI^TURE OF MAINE. 



(mine are hemlock, others are built of pine) two by four inches 

 and of the length it is desired to have the height of the silo. 

 Then three posts the same length are sawed six by six inches. 

 Two of these posts are framed together, three feet or there- 

 abouts in the clear by dropping them onto a sill of the same 

 size and no longer than from the outside of each post. A plate 

 of the same size and length is dropped onto the top of the posts, 

 both sill and plate being secured by tenons and mortices. A 

 groove, two by two inches, is cut on the outside corner of these 

 posts, into which the boards used double for the door will 

 securely fit, resting on each post two inches and coming just 

 flush with inside of posts. If the silo is to be twenty or more 

 feet high, the posts can be further secured by running rods 

 through them just above the sill and below the plate. By using 

 these posts in this way, a continuous door is secured, thus 

 avoiding the disagreeable man holes found in most stave silos. 

 Before beginning to build the silo holes are bored through these 

 posts at points where it is desired to place the hoops, making 

 them one-eighth of an inch larger than the hoops used. The 

 first hoop should be within six inches of the bottom of the 

 staves, the second eighteen inches above that, the third two feet 

 above the second, and so on, extending them toward the top, 

 using ten hoops in a twenty foot silo. The other post receives 

 as many holes as both the door posts, bored in pairs as near as 

 may be and allow of the turning of nuts on each. A circle is 

 now drawn on the foundations, of the same diameter as the 

 proposed silo, and the door posts set up on it at a point where 

 it is desired to have the door, and securely staid. Then staves 

 are placed around the circle, each one securely staid by nailing 

 old barrel staves across and fastening to the posts and the staves 

 behind it. Do this until one-half around the circle, then stand 

 up the other post, which is called the binding post and which 

 takes the place of a stave. Then continue until the opposite 

 door post is reached. The hoops, usually of one-half inch 

 rovmd iron, are made in halves, with broad, level head on one 

 end and threads, washer and nut on the other. They are put 

 in by thrusting them through the door posts from the inside, 

 then drawing around the silo and through the building post. 

 Then, when they are turned up securely, a tight, durable silo 



