ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 185 



use within the writer's knowledge nearly ten years. In his book on silage, 

 in 1895, Woll states that "stave silos have found some enthusiastic friends, 

 and their merits and demerits have been thoroughly discussed of late 

 years in the agricultural press; they cannot be recommended both on ac- 

 count of the danger o,f the staves shrinking in summer, making the silo 

 leaky, and on account of the danger of frost in such silos, and, finally, be- 

 cause a substantial stave silo will cost greatly more than a first class 

 modern silo of the came capacity." 



The stave silo, however, within the past year or two, has increased in 

 popularity, and the criticisms of Prof. Woll do not seem to justify discard- 

 ing this type, if one may judge from the experience of many. 



The need for a new silo at the Indiana Exepriment Station, prompted 

 us to erect one of the stave forms as illustrating the most recent type 

 meeting with popular favor. To this I wish to direct your attention, as 

 relates to the mode of construction and cost. 



In laying out the site for the silo, a stake was driven in the ground and 

 sawed off at three inches above the surface. A board was then taken, in 

 one end of which was made a hole just large enough to easily slip a goo! 

 sized nail through without binding. Five feet ten inches from this was 

 bored an inch hole, and 14 inches beyond this was bored a similar hole. A 

 nail was then passed through the first hole, and driven into the end of the 

 stake. A sharpened stick (broom handle is good) was then placed through 

 the next hole towards the other end, and the board was turned, and a circle 

 scratched on the ground with the sharpened stick. This was then moved 

 into the last hole and another circle made. These two lines of course 

 represented perfect circles, and between them was the outline for the 

 foundation, which was dug 2 feet deep. 



The foundation was formed as follows: Small stones were used for 

 the grouting below the surface. First a layer of sitone was placed in the 

 bottom of the ditch, then cement made of one part lime, two parts Louis- 

 ville cement and nine parts of fine gravel-sand was poured in and distri- 

 buted with a hoe. Then a second layer of stone was put in place, and more 

 cement added. This process continued till the foundation reached the 



