TitiRTY-sixTH Annual Convention 1017 



pass through tho opening. The concrete can be placed very wet, 

 tliereby giving a very dense, strong construction. I believe that 

 the inner wall should be water-proofed by painting the surface 

 with hot tar or asphalt roofing paint. This coating fills all pores, 

 and water-proofs in such a way that the walls will not absorb 

 any moisture from the silage, and is not affected by the acids in 

 the silage. 



Old wood silos which are still rigid can be made better than 

 new by lathing and plastering on the inside with Portland cement 

 plaster. Lime should not be used in the mixture which comes in 

 contact with water or acids. 



Voice : What do you use for concrete silo walls ? 



Mr. Ross: That would depend somewhat upon the thickness 

 of your walls. A six-inch wall properly reinforced is plenty 

 heavy enough — reinforce six-inch wall with triangle mesh made 

 especially for concrete work — twisted, spiral and deformed bars. 



Voice : What about American No. 9 woven wire fence ? 



Mk. Ross : Properly hitched on the ends it would be all right. 

 I should want to run two half-inch rods up each side of the open- 

 ing. Wind the ends around and then use a long reinforcing rod 

 across the opening; tie the walls together in that way. Use one 

 part of cement, two of sand and four of gravel, mixed wet and 

 poured. The footing or foundation will depend upon the weight 

 and the ground you are putting it upon. With a concrete silo 

 you should build a wide foundation. A little settling would 

 throw it out of balance. 



Voice; Cannot you make about three thicknesses on the way 

 up; for instance, make a third of the way eight inches, and 

 narrow down to less thickness ? 



Mr. Ross: That can be done, but the main cost of silos is 

 the form work, and unless you have adjustable forms you are in 

 trouble. A six-inch wall properly made and reinforced will sup- 

 port practically any height. 



President Dollar: The London Concrete Machinery Co., of 

 London. Ontario, makes an adjustable concrete form. They are 

 used in St. Lawrence countv. You can start at the bottom with 

 eight inches, and every form heads in a little and you can finish 

 up at the top about four inches, if you wish. 



