SILOS, EKSILAGE AtfD SILAGE. 67 



or, 3d, the entire structure may be of wood, if sufficient 

 care is taken to prevent decay, and it has strength to 

 resist the pressure of the bank of earth. In the latter 

 case, hot roofing pitch should be freely used on all of 

 the scantling and boards that are below the surface of 

 the ground, and the outside sheathing, between the 

 studs and the wall of earth, should be of two-inch 

 planks, to withstand the external pressure. Large sills 

 of timber should not be used, as scantling two inches 

 thick will furnish sufficient strength, and they can be 

 better saturated with the hot pitch applied for their pro- 

 tection. Of these plans, the second, although costing 

 somewhat more than the others, has many advantages, 

 which, on the whole, should give it the preference. 



When the silo forms part of the original plan of the 

 barn and the stables, it will not be difficult to secure an 

 arrangement of details that is consistent with the strict- 

 est economy in the system of management. 



CHAPTER VI. 



HOW TO BUILD A SILO. 



As wooden silos are, on the whole, to be preferred, we 

 may proceed to consider some of the leading principles 

 involved in their construction, without stopping to give 

 directions for the building of silos of masonry or con- 

 crete. Aside from the conditions required for the 

 preservation of green fodder, the silo should be made so 

 that it may be classed among the permanent improve- 

 ments of the farm, and every reasonable precaution 



