THE STAVE SILO. 



The value of good silage has become so generally recognized 

 that it is unnecessary to enter into any discussion on that point. 

 Especially to the dair}' farmer has the silo become an almost 

 necessary adjunct to the equipment of the farm. Dr. W. H. 

 Jordan, Director of the New York State Experiment Station, 

 Geneva, N. Y., in an address before the N. Y. State Dairymen's 

 'Convention in 1897 said, "Silage properly made and properly 

 fed never yet injured a pound of milk." 



The trouble with much of the silage fed, is that it fails tocom- 

 pl}' with one or the other and frequently' both of the above con- 

 ditions. One cause which has contributed more than any other 

 toward poor silage has been faulty construction of the silo. No 

 matter how good the corn when ensilaged nor how care- 

 fully and intelligently the silage may be fed, if the silo is so 

 constructed that a moldy, sour product results, satisfactory 

 returns from feeding cannot be secured. Reasons frequently 

 offered as an excuse by farmers for not having a silo are the facts 

 that the percentage of loss is usually considerable and the orig- 

 inal cost of the silo is beyond their means. The stave silo more 

 nearly overcomes these objections than any other form of silo 

 which has been proposed. The important features which must 

 be possessed by a silo to adapt it to the needs of the masses are, 

 first, ability to preserve the silage ; second, cheapness and 

 simplicity of construction; third, durability. 



After making for three years careful stud}- and observation 

 of the stave silo we believe it meets fulh^ the above requirements, 

 and that it is the most practical and successful silo which can be 

 constructed. The round stave silo presents no corners which 

 may pull apart and admit air, and which cause the silage to settle 

 unequally ; the original cost is very slight as no expert labor is 

 required, all mason and carpenter work can be done by the usual 

 farm help. The material used in construction is the minimum 



