CHAPTER V. 



HOW TO BUILD A SILO. 



Before taking up for consideration the more impor- 

 tant type of silo construction, it will be well to explain 

 briefly a few fundamental principles in regard to the 

 building of silos which are common to all types of silo 

 structures. When the farmer understands these principles 

 thoroughly, he will be able to avoid serious mistakes in 

 building his silo and will be less bound by specific direc- 

 tions, that may not always exactly suit his conditions, than 

 would otherwise be the case. What is stated in the fol- 

 lowing in a few words is. in many cases the result of 

 dearly-bought experiences of pioneers in siloing; many 

 points may seem self-evident now, which were not under- 

 stood or appreciated until mistakes had been made and 

 a full knowledge had been accumulated as to the condi- 

 tions under which perfect silage can be secured. 



General Requirements for Silo Structures. 



1. The silo must be air-tight. We have seen that 

 the process of silage making is largely a series of fer- 

 mentation processes. Bacteria (small plants or germs, 

 which are found practically everywhere) pass into the 

 silo with the corn or the siloed fodder, and, after a short 

 time, begin to grow and multiply in It, favored by the 

 presence of air and an abundance of feed materials in 

 the fodder. The more air at the disposal of the bacteria, 

 the further the fermentation process will progress. If a 

 supply of air is admitted to the silo from the outside, the 

 bacteria will have a chance to continue to grow, and 

 more fodder will therefore be wasted. If a large amount 

 of air be admitted, as is usually the case with the top 



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