328 



Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



Capacity of Silos. 



The following table shows the calculated capacity in tons of round 

 silos, adapted from King. In the larger sizes the actual capacity is 

 probably considerably greater on account of less friction in the 

 walls. 



Filling the Silo- 



Considerable difference of opinion exists as to the rate at which 

 the silo should be filled. Some hold that it is best to fill it as rapidly 

 as possible, so as to get the pressure on at once. Most farmers 

 however, find that perfectly satisfactory results are attained by filling 

 at the rate of 4 or 5 feet a Asij. Very often the horses are employed 

 cutting and carting the crop in the morning, and in working the 

 chaffcutter in the afternoon. The maize is usually cut | inch long. 

 As the silo is filled, it should be continuously tramped as thorouo-hly 

 as possible, especially at the sides. There is some danger of the 

 carbonic acid gas collecting after the first day or two if the silage is 

 more than 4 feet below the first open port-hole. This danger is 

 greatest in the pit silo, and the workmen should not go into them to 

 resume trampling until the machinery has been running for some 

 minutes. As the silage drops into the pit it will stir the air, and 

 cause the carbonic acid gas to escape. The gas accumulates most 

 during calm nights. No weights are required if the silage is more 

 than 16 or 18 feet in depth. The loss in the upper part is greater 

 than at the bottom, so that it is always an advantage to add the 

 weight, if this can be easily done; but the layer of moulds which 

 forms on the top excludes the air pretty effectively, and the owners of 

 a good silo rarely think it worth the trouble of putting on the weights 

 by means of stones or earth. 



