THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 247 



Cost Per Ton of Filling. 



The cost of filling the silo (cutting the corn in the field, 

 hauling it, putting it through the silage cutter, tramping, level- 

 ing and covering the silo) varies from 40c to $1.00 pei ton. It 

 depends on many factors. First, the distance the corn must be 

 hauled from field to silo. Second, the kind of weather, as it 

 will cost about fifty per cent more to fill a silo during wet and 

 broken weather than during dry, clear weather. Third, the kind 

 of machinery used. The cutter must be a strong, well-built 

 machine with a wide feed mouth, because at times it is put to 

 very severe tests. The motor power must be ample; a fifteen- 

 horse power engine is much more satisfactory than a ten where 

 rapid filling is practiced. Fourth, a well organized crew of men 

 will fill a silo much cheaper than where organization is lacking. 

 The machinery should be kept going at full blast all of the time. 



The following statement, furnished by a very successful 

 dairy farmer, gives a fair idea of the cost of filling the sno : 

 "We hire an extra man or two and make long days with the 

 regular help during the filling season. We have our own outfit, 

 silo cutter and engine (16-horse gasoline), also corn binder. We 

 use our regular low-wheel, flat rack wagons and have two 

 pitchers in the field and let one of them take the herdsman's 

 wagon for the first few loads in the morning and the last few 

 at night. 



Four teams and drivers $16.00 



Corn binder, man and team 10.00 



Cutter and engine with one man IS-OO 



Two extra men to pitch 5.00 



Two men in the silo 5.00 



Thirty gallons of gasoline * . . . . 3.60 



Total cost per day $54-6o 



"This crew will put in from 85 to 90 tons per day, thus it 

 costs around 60 to 65 cents per ton to fill the silo." 



