474 Bulletin 167. 



amount for obtaining the maximum capacity ; the durability of 

 the stave silo is as yet only a matter of conjecture for decay has 

 not commenced on any stave silo which we have examined. 



A stave silo built at Cornell University in 1898, has a part of 

 the staves of hemlock, a part of Georgia pine, part of white pine 

 and part of cypress. These different materials will be carefully 

 observed in future years to determine their relative value. 



As many letters of inquir}^ have been received during the past 

 year asking for information about silos and details for the con- 

 struction of the stave silo it has been thought wise to publish a 

 bulletin which should give somewhat fulh' the information 

 called for. 



The location of the silo. — A silo should be located with 

 reference to facility in feeding. This condition is important 

 above all others. If stock are housed in the basement it is well to 

 have the bottom of the silo on a level with the floor of the base- 

 ment. It is cheaper to elevate the silage at the time of filling the 

 silo when it can be done on a carrier by steam power, than to 

 elevate it in baskets at time of feeding when it must usuall}' be 

 done by man power. The practice of digging pits into w^hich to 

 put the silage is not to be commended as it causes an unnecessary 

 expense at the outset and is afterwards a source of extra labor 

 and anno3'ance w^hen the silage is fed. 



Whether the silo shall be placed on the interior or exterior of 

 the barn must be determined for each individual case. If at the 

 time the barn is planned arrangements are made for the silo it can 

 nearly ahvays be placed on the interior. If, however, it is desired 

 to erect a silo and the barn is already constructed it is usually 

 more convenient to place the silo on the exterior. It is very 

 largely a matter of economizing space and labor. If placed inside 

 the barn no extra expense need be incurred for roofing, the work 

 is concentrated and it will usually be found more convenient 

 than placing the silo on the outside. Some caution must be 

 observed especially if the silo is located near the milking room 

 and the silage should not be thrown down until the milk is 

 removed from the range of its odor. Wherever the silo is 

 located it should be wdth reference to economizing labor in 

 feeding and it should be placed at the point most convenient 



