CHAPTER XVI 

 CONCKETE BLOCK SILOS 



The concrete block silo, if well made, has at least 

 two advantages to recommend it: It is usually made 

 of hollow blocks, thus providing an air space in the 

 wall which will help to insulate the contents against 

 frost and moisture; and if some care is taken in the 

 design and construction, it can be given a more decora- 

 tive appearance than is customary with the general 

 run of farm structures. 



On the other hand there are certain precautions 

 which must be taken in putting up this kind of a silo. 

 Most of the silo block systems provide for a dry or 

 semi-dry tamp block. With such a block it is of the 

 utmost importance that the materials be properly se- 

 lected, graded and mixed, and the manufacturing and 

 curing be done in the most approved manner, else the 

 block will not have sufficient density to make it mois- 

 ture proof. It is worth while, therefore, to urge upon 

 block manufacturers the extreme importance of put- 

 ting the best quality of materials and workmanship 

 into silo blocks ; and also to urge upon owners that 

 they give careful attention to the blocks they are get- 

 ting, contracting for them only with manufacturers 

 who have the best reputation. 



For the manufacture of silo blocks a clean, well 

 graded sand should be used, and the mixture should 

 be 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. The mix should 

 be made as wet as the molds will lallow, and should 

 preferably be cured by steam, taking care that the 



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