"Ml 



THE FAK.MKKS H \NDI5oQK. 



In the pit method practically no waste occurs. After feeding out one pit 

 of about 90 tons at one of the experiment farms only a few straws could 

 be seen lying about the pit and paddock. The total waste in the pit and 

 whilst feeding did not amount to more than 1 jjer cent, of the material 

 originally put in. 



HILLSIDE SILOS. 



When the conformation of the land allows it, the hillside silo possesses 

 many advantages. Amongst these are the ease with which it can be filled, 

 the silage being thrown downwards from the carts, and the less labour 

 required in the removal of the silage than from the ordinary pit, it being 

 removed from the lower side. As the silage is below or level with the sur- 

 face, weighting materials, such as earth, stones, &c, are economically applied, 

 and the silage is protected from the sun and winds. 



Filling a Hillside Silo, Bathurst Experiment Farm. 



To take the place of the tub silo at Bathurst Experiment Farm a hillside 

 one was excavated. Most of the excavating was done with plough and scoops, 

 as in tank-sinking. The sides were trimmed with the pick, and the bottom 

 also squared where the plough could not work. After sinking several feet, 

 the decomposed granite became very hard, but exposure to the air and rains 

 for a month or so softened it and allowed of its being ploughed, and inter- 

 mittent work thus assisted in reducing the cost. 



The excavation was carried 12 feet below the surface, and the earth 

 taken out was placed 4 feet above, leaving the silo 16 feet deep. Upon this 

 earth the teams were drawn when filling the silo. 



Old railway sleepers were used to timber the sides, to keep the soil and 

 loose earth in position. The slope of the hillside is such as to allow of any 

 water running off by means of a drain from the lowest portion. 



