662 Journal of Agriculinre. [ii Oct., 1909. 



inches of damp straw chaff and straw. Between the time of completing, filling, 

 and opening tiiis silo a settlement in the silage of 7 feet had taken place. There 

 was no loss of silage, either on the top, bottom, or sides. Of maize, 398 single 

 loads were chaffed and placed into No. i silo by means of a conveyor. The 

 number of tons of silage taken out of this silo was 234. The actual weight 

 would have been considerably more if this silo had been perfectly tight and 

 had not allowed most of the liquid to escape. The returns kept show that, in 

 the top 7 feet of silage, the actual weight taken out was at the rate of 4 tons to 

 the foot. The second 7 feet, at 8 tons per foot ; the third 7 feet, at 9 tons per 

 foot; and the bottom 7 feet, 12 tons per foot. 



" When the first silo was empty it was found that the interior surface had 

 suffered damage to a height of 22 feet from the bottom, the concrete being soft 

 in patches, and more particularly at the points of union between the courses of 

 concrete which were 4 ft. 3 in. a])art. Apparently there was an imperfect 

 bond between the various section of concrete which was erected between moulds 

 which were 4 ft. 3 in. in height. It is suggested that the deterioration of the 

 concrete was due to the corrosive action of the acids in the silage juices, which 

 are more active on a rough or porous surface than they are on a smooth surface. 

 This is possibly the correct cause of the deterioration, as the bottom of the first 

 silo, which was smooth, was not affected, with the exception of the circumferential 

 joint between the bottom and walls ; also the second silo which was treated with 

 a cement wash was found to be in good order. To correct the defects in the 

 first silo the soft patches were raked out and the interior surface rendered with a 

 mixture of one of cement to two of sand to a height of 22 feet. When the silos 

 are filled this season no further trouble is anticipated." 



Mr. J. Alexander, Toolamba West, is satisfied: — 



" We put the green crop of maize into silo at the end of February. We only 

 had sufficient to half fill the silo, so cut some straw and put on top, and then about 

 15 inches of earth over that. Silo was opened on 15th May. There was a 

 little waste (a few inches) on top, and for the first few feet a few inches mouldy 

 around sides. After getting down a few feet silage was good all through. There 

 were no bad patches through the silage. We fed to dairy cows until the finish, 

 2oth July, and the amount of milk increased greatly while using it. The only 

 improvement I could suggest is that the lining might have a longer lap, so that 

 clouts need not be put in line but might be zig-zagged, as they have split hoops 

 right round." 



SILO CONSTRUCTION. 



As there have been .some slight alterations since the last publication 

 of drawings and specifications for a wood and iron silo (October, 1907, 

 Journal), particularly in regard to the elevator, fresh drawings and 

 particulars are published herewith. These are, of course, not final. Many 

 suggestions from correspondents have been adopted and more will be 

 welcomed. The use of a preservative coating of tar or similar compounds 

 on the inner face of the iron lining has been abandoned as the action of 

 lime is antagonistic to such substances. As the lime wash is essential, even 

 more care has consequentlv to be employed in .seeing that it is well and 

 thickly put on. It is advisable to limewash as the silo is emptied to 

 preserve the iron before refilling takes place. Successful silage making 

 depends uT>on the faithful observance of the details of the directions for 

 filling, and successful construction is also a question of careful work. 

 None of the points, upon which stress is laid, are unimportant. Thev are 

 all the fruits of experience and have been carefully thought out and tested 

 before being recommended. 



Specifications for the Consteuction of a Silo 14 ft. 8 in. inside 

 Diameter and 2\ ft. High. (6o-ton Silo). 



All the materials used are to Ix- of approved qualitv and the best of 

 their kind. The timl)er is to be si)ecialTy free from knots and gum \eins. 

 The foundation posts and the iron sheets (one side only) are tf) be tarred 

 before commencinc erection. 



