THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 229 



THE PLASTERED OR GURLER SILO. 



By 



H. E. McNatt, University of Missouri. 



One of the most successful types of silos is that generally 

 known as the "plastered" or Gurler silo. It is built much like a 

 frame house, except that it is round in form, with a lining of 

 boards running lengthwise around it, somewhat like the hoops 

 of a barrel which give it strength to resist the immense press- 

 ure of the silage. Its cement plastered wall protects the wood 

 framework from decay. 



Some of the strong points in favor of this style of silo are : 



1. Can be built entirely from ordinary lumber. 



2. Requires no highly skilled labor for its construction. 



3. Preserves the silage as well as any type of silo in use. 



4. Is strong and durable when properly made. 



Size of Silos. 



Generally speaking, it is not advisable to build any silo 

 more than sixteen feet in diameter. It is better to have two 

 small silos than one too large for the herd. The best propor- 

 tions are : Height about twice the inside diameter. 



Laying Out Foundation. 



A short stake is driven firmly into the ground at the point 

 selected for the center of the silo. To the top of this is secured, 

 with a single nail a horizontal piece of light, stiff lumber, bear- 

 ing upon one end an arm sharpened so as to scratch a circle on 

 the ground when moved around the center post. This circle 

 marks the outside limit of the silo foundation and care should be 

 taken to get the measurements correct. 



