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HOW TO BUILD A SILO. 



preventing any foreign matter from getting into the cracks which 

 would prevent the staves from closing up as they swell, and allow 

 air to enter. To hold hoops and staves in place during the sum- 

 mer when the silo is empty, staples should be driven over the 

 hoops into the staves. If a sufficient number of staples are used 

 they will prevent the sagging or dropping down of the hoops, and 

 they will hold the staves securely in place. 



Fig. 18. — Shows how barrel staves may be used in setting up a 

 silo. They should be removed before the silo is filled. 



The hoops should be watched very closely for a few days 

 after the silo is filled. If the strain becomes quite intense the 

 nuts should be slightly loosened. If during the summer when 

 the silo is empty and the staves thoroughly dry the hoops are 

 tightened so that the staves are drawn closely together when 

 the silo is filled and the wood absorbs moisture and begins to 

 swell, the hoops must be eased somewhat to allow for the 

 expansion. 



The doors, 2 feet wide by 2% feet high, should be located 

 where convenience in feeding dictates. The lower door should 

 be between the second and third hoops at the bottom, and 



