SILO CONSTRUCTION IN NEBRASKA. 



BY L. W. CHASE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



This bulletin discusses briefly some of the types of silos which 

 are being erected in Nebraska at the present time. 



A very much more complete bulletin on this subject, under the 

 same title and the same number, is being published for distribu- 

 tion on application. This bulletin gives the details for the erec- 

 tion of the different types of silos. Those desiring to secure a 

 copy of the same should ask*for "Limited Edition" of bulletin on 

 Silo Construction in Nebraska, No. 138. 



FORM OF SILO. 



Experience has shown that the best form for a silo is round 

 with the walls perpendicular. The round silo does away with 

 corners in which silage is likely to spoil. It gives the largest 

 capacity for the amount of material in the walls, and where built 

 above ground this form of construction resists the winds and the 

 pressure of silage from within better than the square silo. 



SIZE OF SILOS. 



When the silo exceeds 16 feet in diameter, it requires more 

 work to get the silage to the door than in the smaller silo. It 

 also requires a larger amount to be fed daily in order to keep the 

 silage from spoiling on account of its contact with the air. A 

 silo of large diameter and not very tall has more spoiled silage 

 in it per ton of good silage than a silo of greater height. The 

 pressure on the silage is measured by the height of the silo and 

 not by its diameter, so that the tall, slim silo will hold practically 

 as much silage per square foot of wall surface as the short, broad 

 one. On account of this greater capacity of tall silos, it is seldom 

 advisable to build one less than 30 feet in height. Where built 

 of masonry, or where well anchored and carefully looked after, 

 they may economically be built higher, to give the needed capacity 

 without getting the silo unduly large in diameter. 



In pit silos the diameter may be somewhat greater in propor- 

 tion to the height. The box used in hoisting the silage can be 

 dropped into any part of the silo where it is convenient to fill, 



BUL. 138, AGR. EXP. STATION OF NEBR. VOL. XXV, ART. VI II 



