The Construction of the Stave Silo. 477 



If the silo be filled by the first method there will be needed in 

 this case a maximum capacity for 96 tons, which will be nearest 

 met by a silo 24 feet deep and 16 feet in diameter. If the silo is 

 filled according to the second method, there will be needed a 

 maximum capacity for 108 tons, which will be most nearly met 

 by a silo 27 feet deep and 16 feet in diameter. It is always well 

 to construct a silo somewhat larger than the present needs seem 

 to demand. Then as the herd increases or the use of silage 

 increases, extra silo capacity will have been already provided. 



Construction of foundation for stave silo. — Where the silo is to be 

 constructed an excavation should be made to a depth of 3 or 4 

 inches or to the bottom of the loose surface soil and with a diam- 

 >jeter at least two feet greater than the proposed diameter of the 

 silo and drainage should be provided if the conditions seem to 

 warrant. The excavation should be filled with stones, large ones 

 being placed at the bottom and smaller ones being worked in and 

 pounded down toward the top. Gravel if well pounded down 

 may serve as filling between the stones. It is important that the 

 pounding be thoroughly done, otherwise settling will take 

 place later on and the cement finish be made to crack. 



The finishing should be done with cement. First a thin mortar 

 "made of one part of Portland or Rosendale cement and four 

 parts of good sharp sand should be poured over the entire stone 

 work. This mortar should be made so thin that it will run 

 down into the interstices between the stones. After this first 

 coat has thoroughly set a finishing coat made of one part cement 

 and three parts of sand should be put on and worked down with a 

 trowel. Finish off before thoroughly dry by dusting over the 

 top some clear cement and working it in with a trowel. This 

 will give a hard finish and will secure a foundation that is cheap 

 and efficient. While the cement is still soft it is frequently con- 

 venient to strike the circle which will mark the line upon which 

 the staves are to be set. A spike driven in the center will serve as 

 a pivot. Attach to this a bit of string or twine the length of 

 which shall be one-half that of the proposed diameter of the silo 

 and to the free end of the string fasten some pointed instrument 

 with which to mark the circle. Now strike a circle the radius 

 of which shall be equal to the length of the string and there is 

 marked out the circle upon which the staves are to be set. 



