CHAPTER V 



SIZE AND SHAPE OF A SILO 



As has previously been stated, economy and good 

 construction will dictate that the general shape of the 

 silo be cylindrical, and there are at the present time 

 practically no other shapes used. 



It is generally understood, too, that in an economic 

 and well constructed silo certain relations must be 

 maintained between the diameter and the height. It is 

 sometimes stated that the depth of the silo should not 

 be less than twice nor more than three times the 

 diameter. This rule has, of course, been violated in both 

 directions, but it is probably a less serious error to go 

 above this rather than below. In fact, higher silos are 

 now advocated by some of the best builders, and there 

 is a tendency in some sections to build silos higher than 

 formerly. 



It is of course recognized that the greater the depth 

 of silage, the better will it be on account of the pressure 

 from above forcing out the air and helping to preserve 

 it. If the height is less than 24 feet, the quality of the 

 silage will not be of the best. On the other hand, an 

 excessive height will increase the cost of filling the silo 

 by making necessary a larger amount of power to ele- 

 vate the material into it. It will also necessitate a long 

 climb for the person whose duty it is to get the silage 

 out. 



Within the limits defined, it is an easy matter to 

 figure out the size of silo required in any given location. 

 The two dimensions will in general be fixed by two 



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