160 FORAGE CROPS 



While the various styles of silos here mentioned 

 may all be good, there are several objections to 

 stave silos that are intended to be permanent 

 buildings out-of-doors. The staves are liable to 

 shrink and the hoops to loosen when the silo is 

 empty. In many instances, they are blown down 

 in high winds, and even if not blown down they 

 are racked and get out of plumb. It is also diffi- 

 cult securely to anchor a permanent roof, and to 

 connect permanently the staves with the founda- 

 tion. It does not pay, in the long run, to make 

 cheap staves silos. An all -wood frame round silo 

 is a type that has given excellent satisfaction, 

 especially when care has been given to securing a 

 good lining, which can be accomplished only when 

 it has a sufficient diameter to permit of "springing" 

 the lining boards in place, rather than to have the 

 lining perpendiaular. There should be at least 

 three layers of the wooden lining, with paper 

 between, the first nailed on the studs, then a 

 lining of tough building-paper; the second layer 

 nailed so as to break joints, and another lining of 

 paper; and the third nailed, breaking joints again. 

 To prevent the decay of the inside lining, it should 

 preferably be treated with a mixture of gasolene 

 and coal tar, rather than paint. This preserves 

 the wood, to some extent prevents the entrance of 

 moisture, and is not brushed off by the pressure 

 of the silage as paint is likely to be. 



