1016 New York State Dairymen's Association 



he wants it, because when properly phiced, concrete constrnction 

 is not easily chanffed. How often we hear dissatisfaction ex- 

 pressed because of improper measurements. Plans or systems 

 had hurriedly been carried out, when often a couple of hours 

 studying over drawn plans would have saved much inconvenience 

 and expense. Even with the best of plans, many changes are 

 made to advantage during erection. 



J3y using the foregoing principles any number of useful struc- 

 tures can be built upon the farm, such as fences, water tanks, 

 tile, blocks, etc. 



At present the construction of concrete silos is being developed 

 and in the near future they will be as common on our dairy 

 farms as concrete floors are common in our dairy stables to-day. 

 When properly constructed, concrete silos have all the advantages 

 and characteristics of a good silo, namely, air-tight, water-tight, 

 rigid, vermin proof, with a minimum of surface — a silo which 

 is cheap, durable, simple of construction and eifeetive in pre- 

 servino- silage. A few minutes figuring ouuiit to convince any 

 man that any other kind is wasteful, if he figures the cost of 

 depreciation of a wood silo against the interest on a concrete one. 

 Consider that a properly constructed concrete silo is proof against 

 fire, wind and time. 



The monolithic (solid wall), hollow wall, block and plas- 

 tered concrete silos are the four types in most general use. 

 All types should be reinforced with steel to carry the entire 

 pressure, and we should make allowance for extra prcssun; of 

 watery silage, such as vines make, because I believe in the future 

 the silo will b(> used more for supplementing the pastures and 

 that we will use other crops with the corn in tlie silo. 



Tlic fi-ost will not penetrate a six-inch concrete wall as readily 

 as it does a wet two-inch stave. We should be very careful in 

 bniMing the ronndation. because the weight of a thirty-five-foot 

 silo plus one or two hundred tons of silage is great. 



Fi'diii my ol)serva!i()ns T believe tlie monolitbie silo is the 

 strongest, most permanent and practical. It can be reinforced 

 easily with twisted steel to withstand any amomit of j)ressuro 

 that imiy be recjuired. The dooi-s can be built separately oi- in 

 one continuous opening by letting every second horizontal rod 



