TO MAINTAIN THE CEMENT LINING. 129 



accomplished by using short pieces of plank with smooth 

 sides tapering toward one end, as shown in Fig. 40. These 

 tapering wood blocks are set in the forms two or three 

 inches apart near the center of the wall and the concrete 

 filled in around them. After the first "set," that is, after 

 a few hours the tapering blocks are drawn out leaving the 

 hollow walls and the forms are raised the next day or the 

 day following and the process repeated." 



To Maintain the Cement Lining. The Cement Lining 

 or the Cement Block, if not properly cared for, is certain 

 to become porous or to crack, due to the action of the 

 acids in the silage. All such linings should be treated to 

 a wash of cement once about every two years. A good 

 wash is made by mixing Portland Cement with water, mak- 

 ing the mixture the consistency of white wash, and apply- 

 ing it with a white wash brush or spray pump, mixing 

 only a gallon or two at a time and applying it at once. 



When filling the silo, it has been recommended to use 

 plenty of water around the edges next to the wall. 



Fig. 42 illustrates a cement block silo built by Mr. 

 Alfred S. Dunlap, Centre, Rails County, Mo. It is 16x32 

 feet inside and extends 18 inches into the ground. Writ- 

 ing to the Missouri State Board of Agriculture he says: 

 "The blocks are 6x6 inches by 2 feet long. Used 200 sacks 

 of Portland or Atlas brand cement in the foundation and 

 blocks. 1400 blocks were required to build it. Just what 

 the cost was I do not know, as my farm help worked at 

 making the blocks, commencing in the spring, and working 

 at odd times. It, perhaps, cost $275.00, but I did not haul 

 my sand and gravel more than 100 rods. I used a No. 14 

 cutter and a 10 horse-power traction engine, and did the 

 work of cutting to my entire satisfaction. We worked 

 three days and filled it about two-thirds full, and filled 

 with corn grown on bottom lands and very heavy." 



Mr. J. O. Bailey, Kirksville, Mo., writing to the same 

 Board of Agriculture gives an instructive description of 

 the building of his 16x32 silo. 



"I made the blocks myself size 8 by 8 by 24 inches, 

 9 



