CHAPTER VH 



THE FOUNDATION OF THE SILO 



The silo is usually allowed to extend into the ground 

 about 5 feet. In this way the height above ground is 

 reduced, considerably decreasing the amount of scaf- 

 folding necessary, and the hoisting of materials, as well 

 as having the further advantage of placing the founda- 

 tion below the frost line. 



It might at first seem that if a depth of 5 feet is an 

 advantage, a greater depth would be a still further ad- 

 vantage; but this is not true, owing to the fact that 

 when one goes below 5 feet, the difficulty of getting the 

 silage out of the silo offsets any advantages of con- 

 struction which might be secured. 



When the site of the silo has been selected, a stake 

 is driven in the center and a sweep is attached to this 

 stake with a spike, by which the place for excavation 

 can be marked out. This sweep may consist of a piece 

 of 2x4, or any other convenient piece of lumber, to the 

 outer end of which is attached a pointed piece of board, 

 by which the marking can be done. The length of the 

 sweep will of course be governed by the diameter of the 

 proposed silo, as well as the nature of the ground in 

 which the excavation is to be made. First measure off 

 on the sweep from the spike in the center stake, one- 

 half the inside diameter of the proposed silo. If the 

 ground is firm, so that the walls will stand vertical, 1 

 foot can be added to this radius. If, however, the 

 ground is soft and yielding, so that it will be necessary 

 to slope it back, it will be necessary to add about 

 feet. 



(59) 



