MATERIAL FOR THE SILO. 59 



The posts (a, a, a, a) should be of 6x6 material and run the 

 entire length of the silo. These should be first set up vertically 

 and stayed securely in place. 



The scaffolding may be constructed by setting up 2x4 scantling 

 in the positions shown in Fig. 17, as b, b, b, b. Boards nailed 

 from these 2x4 scantling and to the 6x6 posts will form a rigid 

 framework, across which the planks for the scaffold platform may 

 be laid. Before the scaffolding is all in place the staves should be 

 stood up within the inclosure; otherwise difficulty will be ex- 

 perienced in getting them into position. 



It is probable that no better material can be obtained for the 

 staves than Southern cypress. This, however, is so expensive in 

 the North, as to preclude its use in most cases. Of the cheaper 

 materials hemlock, white pine, and yellow pine, are usually the 

 most available. At the present time hemlock is one of the cheap- 

 est satisfactory materials which can be purchased, and it is 

 probably as good as any of the cheaper materials. It should be 

 sound and free from loose knots. 



If the silo is to have a diameter of 12 feet or less, the staves 

 should be made of either 2x4 material, unbeveled on the edges 

 and neither tongued nor grooved, or of 2x6 material beveled 

 slightly on the edges to make the staves conform to the circular 

 shape of the silo. If the silo is to have a diameter of more than 

 12 feet, the staves should be of 2x6 material, and neither beveled 

 nor tongued and grooved on the edges. The staves should be 

 surfaced on the inside so that a smooth face may be presented 

 which will facilitate the settling of the silage. The first stave set 

 up should be made plumb, and should be toe-nailed at the top* 

 to one of the posts originally set. Immediately a stave is set in 

 place it should be toe-nailed at the top to the preceding stave set. 

 It has been found that the work of setting up and preserving the 

 circular outline may be materially aided by the use of old barrel 

 staves (see Fig. 18). For a silo 12 feet in diameter the curve in 

 the stave of the sugar barrel is best adapted; for a 16-foot silo 

 the flour barrel stave is best, and for a silo 20 feet or more in 

 diameter the stave of the cement barrel is best. If when the silo 

 staves are put in place they are toe-nailed securely to the ones 

 previously set if they are fastened firmly to the permanent up- 

 right post (Fig. 17, a, a, a, a) ; if the barrel staves are used as 

 directed above, the silo will have sufficient rigidity to stand until 



