54 DAIRY FARMING 



also more restricted in diameter which permits a deeper 

 layer of silage to be removed daily. This has the ad- 

 vantage of keeping the silage fresher in summer and re- 

 ducing the amount of freezing in winter. Where only one 

 silo is used, silage is* frequently carried over from one 

 year to another until the bottom part may be three to 

 eight years old before it is finally fed. 



Location of Silo. For convenience of feeding, the 

 silo should be as near the manger as possible. It is 

 preferably joined to the barn at one end by means of a 

 chute, so that one can step into the silo without leaving 

 the barn. Where the silo is thus located, it is necessary 

 to prevent the escape of silage odors at milking time, 

 by providing doors for closing up the chute leading to 

 the silo. 



Silos should be located to give them as much protection 

 from cold as possible. This is especially necessary with 

 concrete silos. 



The location of silos with regard to keeping the silage 

 from freezing has been given too little consideration by 

 silo builders. 



Construction of Silo. Silos should be round, having 

 the appearance of a cylinder whose height is about twice 

 its diameter. They may be built of wood, stone, brick, 

 concrete, or a combination of two or more of these. As a 

 rule, the choice is determined by the relative cost and 

 availability of the materials mentioned. 



In building a silo four things must be kept in mind. 

 First, it must be air-tight. Second, it must have sufficient 

 strength and rigidity to enable it to withstand the pres- 

 sure of the silage without yielding. Third, it must have 

 a smooth inside surface to permit the silage to settle 



