244 Agricultural G a zpAte of N.S.W. [i^/^/r. 2, 1908. 



Hawkesbiiry Agricultural College and 

 Experimental Farm. 



Silo in a TTill-side : How to Construct. 



There are many situations where a silo can be constructed in a liill-side^ 

 thus doiny away with the necessity for an elevator, tlie material for tlie- 

 silagv beinjj: carted to the top and tlicrc chaft'ed and allowed to fall intcv^ 

 the silo. Questions are frequently asked rep:ardin<r such silos : therefore,, 

 the following information, supplied liy Mr. .\ . Brooks, Works Foreman,. 

 Hawkesbury Agricultural College, will be of general interest : — 



The style of silo which could be constructed in the side of a hill is a. 

 combination of the pit and overground patterns — that is to say, the hill 

 may be cut into sufficiently far back to give the vertical depth re(iuired 

 at tlie face, and this may l)e increased by sinking down -i or o feet, or even 

 more if tlie ground is hard, and will not require draining round the site- 

 of the silo. 



A road may be constructed to the top, where tlie chaff-cutter may be 

 placed, when no elevator will be required ; Init the question of applying 

 the driving power may prevent this being done. 



At least part, if not the whole, of tlie walls will require to be timber- 

 lined. This may be done witli logs for cross-rails, and slal)s for vertical 

 lining, jointed together as closely as possible. 



The front frame will require to be strongly made of corner-posts, door- 

 posts, and rails. At each side of the doorway the slabs should be fi.xed 

 vertically, but those in the door-frame, which are movable, may be 

 horizontal (see sketch), or they may be arranged as shown in the diagrams 

 of the tub silo in Gazette of September, 1902. 



POST 



2fr- 



8"^ 2" DOORPLANKS 



As shown on the- 

 sketch, the door-posts are 

 checked out the thick- 

 ness of the planks, and 

 f)n one side a strip of 

 hoop-iron is nailed on. 



HOOP IRVfJ ■' 



This prevents tlie loose planks falling into the silo, when emjity. 



To make the Avails air-tight, it will be necessary to cover the inside face 

 with 1*. and 15. paper, not less than --ply thick, which I'eipiires to be 

 tacked on to the slabbing, as the hlling pi'oceeds. It can be purchased for 

 about 21s. per roll, containing 1,000 square feet. 



If white ants are trouljlesome, the tinibers must be treated with a liberal 

 coating of some of the preserving oils, or else line the silo with brick and 

 cement. 



The roof may be a flat one, pitched as the slope of the hill oi- less, and,. 

 if covered with iron, a sheet can be removed each time the silo is tilled. 



With regard to the fall or grade of the hill, a 1 in 1 grade would be a 

 good position. 



