'Jlu Modern 8ilo. 



825 



No weights were used, tlie top part when filled beiug thoroughly 

 trampled aud levelled, then watered to make a mould which seals the 

 ensilage, making an airtight covering. The outside of the silo is 

 sheathed with plain galvanised n-on. The plan of the silo is founded 

 on an American model, but stronger in dc-ign, and heavii-r timber 

 was used for the sills and studs than specified in the American plans." 



Ruberoid paint protects the iron perfectly from the action of the 

 acid. The silo should also be limewashed inside just before filling. 

 Brick, concrete, and masonry are largely used in the United States 

 for the silo, but as our object at present is to point out what can be 

 done at the least expense, and yet give very satisfactory results as 

 regards the silage and at the same time serve for the frame work of 

 a permanent structure. 



For a silo 25 feet high, if built from the ground level, the elevator 

 from the chaifcutter requires to be 30 feet long. The easiest way to 

 make the elevator is Y-shape, as shown in Fig. Oa. 



Fig. (■>. — <<() Section of elevator ; (6) top end ot elevator ; (1, 1) angle raiU : r2. )i) battens; 

 (3, 3) spindle ; (4, 4) bearings ; (5) sprocket wheel. 



12 X 1 boai-ds are nailed to the sides of an angle rail, the 

 joints being broken, and battens nailed along the outside to stiffen 

 the long length. A reaper and binder chain belt is arranged to run over 

 a sprocket wheel at top and bottom, and the flaps are made uf wood or 

 .sheet-iron and rivetted on to tlie joints of the chain. By fixing a groi »ved 

 pulley to the spindle of the top sprocket the elevator may be driven 

 from a similar pulley on the chaffcutter by means of a rope belt. 

 The sprockets run in slots sawn out of the angle r.iil, and the sides 

 are strengthened by tlu-ee feet of angle rail nailed on each side, as 

 shown in Fig. 6b. 



The Circular Pit Silo- 



The pit silo has not given universal satisfaction chiefly for two 

 reasons, the shape is usually square or rectangular, and often divided 

 into a number of compartments, and secondly the silage is not gene- 

 rally chafl'ed. The disadvantages of both these features have already 

 been ])ointed out. They all tend to promote fermentation by making 

 it ditflcult to exclude the air. The pit should be circular, excavated 

 in the same way as a round tank, if possible with perpendicular sides, 

 \vhile the depth should be increased by using the earth to bank up 

 the superstructure. The simplest method to do this is iis follows : — 

 Mark eight logs, eacli 8 or 10 feet long, and about the dimensions of 



