UNIVERSAL PORTLAND CEMENT CO. 
9 
same method as has been observed elsewhere. The silo is nothing more 
nor less than a large fruit jar. 
In Africa the barbaric natives do not allow their crops to stand out 
in the fields at the mercy of the elements, but build a circular bin of inter- 
woven reeds, plastered on both sides with clay, and covered with a 
thatched roof. When the fodder or grain is to be removed, the roof is 
propped up, for the time being, and replaced by the simple process of 
removing the props. These structures are from 3 to 6 feet in diameter and 
generally stand on stilts, with a total height of 6 to 12 feet. 
In Mexico, for some time past, probably centuries, crude silos have 
been made of adobe, page 8. A square silo was first used, but the 
Mexicans, like other North Americans of a later date, discovered that 
the silage spoiled easily in the corners. Strictly speaking, their product 
is not silage as we understand it. It is a green fodder, packed in, but 
not cut into small pieces. Their next step in silo building and possibly 
the last for some time to come, was the round silo. 
The silos shown on page 8 are crude structures, covered with thatch 
— which must harbor insects, rats and mice. Nevertheless, tliese are 
better than the methods, or lack of methods, used by many of the non- 
progressive farmers of to-day, who do not even take the precaution of 
covering their corn or machinery with a roof. The silos pictured in the 
illustrations show, at least, an intelligent effort on the part of the Mexicans 
to protect their food in dry seasons, and lead broad minded people to 
think that perhaps we might learn something from them. 
Fifty-foot Concrete Silo put up for Ben. Searls Another Concrete Silo with concrete chute — 
near Picketts, Wisconsin, by George W. West- solid, substantial, and enduring— Limbers molds 
ern. Limberg molds used. used. 
