THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 257 



MODERN SILO CONSTRUCTION. 



By 



J. B. Davidson and M. L. King, and Published by Iowa Station. 



The importance and value of the silo in furnishing succu- 

 lent food for dairy cows and other farm animals is now being 

 more generally appreciated. Only a trial is necessary to con- 

 vince stock raisers in the corn belt that silage is an economical 

 feed for the production of beef as well as for the production of 

 milk. Silage when included in the ration for steers makes it 

 more palatable, and in this manner is an active agent in bring- 

 ing about more rapid gains. Also, in many cases well pre- 

 served silage has been found a cheap and successful feed for 

 sheep, swine and horses. 



The silo may be made an ornament to any group of farm 

 buildings. Its form is such that it may be made to add to the 

 appearance of any style of construction. One or more conical 

 silo roofs when viewed from a distance; or the full height of 

 the curved walls at a closer range, .gives a very pleasing effect 

 when placed in a setting of rectangular buildings. This im- 

 pression is entirely independent of the great value of silage as 

 a feed and is pleasing to such a degree that a prospective pur- 

 chaser, in making a close decision, would be influenced to a 

 far greater extent than the original cost of the silo. 



The Location of the Silo. 



Of the silos reported by their owners or visited, 135 were 

 located outside of the barn and 26 inside. Those located inside 

 of a building were largely of a type not well adapted to be 

 placed outside. These reports indicate that a location of the 



