COST OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF SILOS. 77 



During the spring of 1895 Prof. Woll made inquiries in regard 

 to the cost of silos of different Isinds (not only circular ones) 

 built by farmers in different states in the Union. The results 

 of this inquiry are summarized briefly below. 



The cheapest silos were those built in bays of barns, as would 

 be expected, since roof and outside lining are here already at 

 hand. Number of silos included, fourteen; average capacity, 

 140 tons; average cost of silos, $92, or 65 cents per ton capacity. 



Next comes the square or rectangular wooden silos. Number 

 of silos included, twenty-five; average capacity, 194 tons; av- 

 erage cost of silos, $285, or $1.46 per ton capacity. 



The round silos follow closely the square wooden ones In 

 point of cost. Only seven silos were included, all but one of 

 which were made of wood. Average capacity, 237 tons; average 

 cost, $368, or $1.54 per ton capacity. The data for the six round 

 wooden silos are as follows: Average capacity, 228 tons; aver- 

 age cost, $340, or $1.52 per ton capacity. The one round cement 

 silo cost $500, and had a capacity of 300 tons (dimensions: diam- 

 eter, 30 feet; depth, 21 feet); cost, per ton capacity, $1.67. 



The stone or cement silos are the most expensive in first cost, 

 as is shown by the data obtained. Number of silos included, 

 nine; average capacity, 288 tons; average cost, $577, or $1.95 

 per ton capacity. 



The great difference in the cost of different silos of the same 

 kind is apparent without much reflection. The range in cost per 

 ton capacity in the 25 square wooden silos included in the pre- 

 ceding summary was from 70 cents to $3.60. The former figures 

 were obtained with a 144-ton silo, 20x18x20 feet; and the latter 

 with a 140-ton silo, built as follows: Dimensions, 14x28x18 feet; 

 2x12x18 feet studdlngs, set 12 inches apart; two thicknesses of 

 dimension boards inside, with paper between, sheeting outside 

 with paper nailed on studding; cement floor. Particulars are 

 lacking as regards the construction of the first silo beyond its 

 dimensions. 



It may be in order to state, in comparing the average data 

 for the cost of the different silo types, that the round silos were 

 uniformly built better than the rectangular wooden silos included, 

 and according to modem requirements, while many of the latter 

 were old and of comparatively cheap construction, so that the 



