236 



MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



that will cost a large sum both as to material and transportation, but 

 something at hand, some local material, or material that is reasonable in 

 price. 



In building a silo, I consult local conditions. If in Texas, use Texas 

 hard pine. If in western coast country, would use redwood or cedar, 

 but in the central section of the United States I find nothing better than 

 the ordinary 2x4's white pine of commerce. I have thoroughly tested 

 this material in several states and in no case has it proved defective in 

 any one of the above named qualifications — strength, durabilitv and per- 

 fect exclusion of air together with simplicity of construction. 



To build a round silo of 2x4 stuff, get your lumber and have it dry 

 and free from loose knots ; see that edges are straight, so that when 

 walls are up, edges will touch evenly the entire height of silo. In a 

 circle of 14 feet or more it is not necessary to bevel the lumber to fit the 



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Mr. Cobb's Silo. 



circle ; it is better not to do so, because the lumber will dry out more 

 quickly when the silage is removed, which tends to prolong the life of 

 the silo by checking decay. In case beveling is done, don't bevel the en- 

 tire stick's width, only take off bevel from center of timber. This will 

 leave other half slightly separated from its mate, giving air a chance to 

 dry wood. 



To the novice an empty stave silo with its staves showing daylight 

 shining through cracks from top to bottom is far from an airtight build- 

 ing, but one has only to tighten up hoops, snug and go ahead and fill. A 

 stave silo is like a leaky barrel. It only wants hoops driven tight to 



