SILAGE PRESERVATION 17 



Settling. As has already been mentioned, the heavy 

 fodder packed into the silo to a depth of from 30 to 50 feet 

 settles rapidly for the first few days. In case the silo wall 

 is smooth and vertical, the silage in settling does not draw 

 away from the wall perceptibly, and there is no occasion for 

 spoiled silage against the wall. If, however, the wall is not 

 smooth, the silage will not come in contract with the surface 

 of the wall in the recesses. These spaces will, of course, con- 

 tain air, and the result will be moldy or decayed silage. In 

 case a silo leans, the silage will settle a little heavier against 

 one side and draw away from the other, thus allowing the 

 entrance of air and consequent spoiling of silage. 



It is sometimes reasoned that a silo should be built a 

 little larger at the top than at the bottom in order that the 

 silage will in all cases crowd the wall. On the other hand, 

 it is sometimes reasoned that the silo should be smaller at 

 the top than at the bottom, thus reducing the pressure of the 

 silage against the wall when settling. Either of these two 

 practices is poor, as the good of the one increases the danger 

 that the other is designed to correct. In all cases the prop- 

 erly built silo is round, smooth, and plumb. 



Material of the Walls. The material of the walls must 

 be such that it will absorb as little moisture as possible. The 

 wall absorbing no moisture would of course not admit air. 

 The admission of air or the absorbtion of moisture will cause 

 poor silage. 



Strength and Rigidity. It is almost needless to say that 

 the silo must have walls sufficiently strong to withstand the 

 pressure of the silage, and should, of course, likewise be rigid 

 enough to stand the action of wind. 



Fire Exposure. Placing a wood silo among the other 

 farm buildings reduces the distance a fire would need to jump 

 in order to connect with other buildings. It is not only 



