1018 New Youk State Daikyme.x's Association 



Mr. Ross: If the slope is gTadual it is all right. Many barn 

 walls start with a wide hottoni — thev are afraid of concrete. 

 When YOU i>'et a form that is wider at the bottom than at the 



t o 



top. you b(>g'in to have trouble. The wide part of the sloping 

 tends to tip over or else the sloping form will rise up. and if not 

 very carefully fastened and braced, the walls will get out of 

 plumb. 



Voice: Tn what proportion do you mix plaster for a silo? 



Mil. Ross: That depends on the material used. If you have 

 sharp sand in silo work you can use this, 1 to 2. The more 

 sand you get in and have it properly proportioned, that is, so the 

 cement will cover it entirely, the harder plaster you will have. 

 The more cement you put in the plaster the softer it will be. The 

 same is true in constructing floors. If you make a hard top of 

 1 to 2 1/2 or so, it is likely to chip off ; but if made 1 to 1 with 

 a medium sand you have a lloor that will not chip. 



Voice : How thick should the plaster be put on ? 



Mu. Ross : You can use the wood lath by grooving. Take 

 two comers oif, leaving the outside. It is more economical. Put 

 it on so the concrete will push through the metal and have not 

 less than half an inch cement plaster between the wall surface and 

 the metal. We should be particular to have the plaster pushed 

 back against the boards. The metal lath will prevent the ])laster 

 from cracking. 



Another form of construction which can be followed cheaply: 

 Build a foundation as you would for any silo, taking one by two- 

 inch strips, bent around four-ply, giving a -t-inch circular sill; 

 put up 2x4 siding, 12x10 inches on center, and then i)ut around 

 hoops countersunk flush with outer surface anchored to foundation. 

 These hoops take u}) the pressure. Half-inch l)oards put around 

 the inside and the metal lath plastered against those, and metal 

 lath and plaster on the outside, gives a very cheap wall silo. 



Voice: Did 1 uiidei-siaiid you to say that you advised using 

 plank foi- stock to stand on ( 



Mn. Ross: I am noi especially opposed to it. but I do not see 

 any advantage in it it' the tloor is pro{)erly insulated. In our 

 own slalile we insulate also with tai' ami paint, but under tests 

 we can see no diiference l)etween that and the broken stone insu- 



