286 Tlie Silo and Silage-stack Competition, 1885-86. 
first cut took place for inspection, they -were ia -i-feet lengths. Above this, it 
is covered with 18 inches of earth, the only weighting material used, this 
averaging 120 lbs. to the square foot. In cutting out, the earth is thrown 
back until one cut across has been made. It is subsequently thrown to the 
bottom of the silo as removed, evenly spread, and covered with the boards 
taken from the top, so that the silage is kept clean. When, therefore, the 
silo is emptied, the whole of the dry earth is upon the floor and ready for use 
the next season. In order to get it to the top again, Mr. Martin has devised a 
simple and ingenious plan by which he hauls it into his large granary above, 
and this feature is worth noticing. Barrows are filled one by one, and hauled 
lip by a wheel and pulley with a power of eight to one, ordinary cart-ropes 
being used. This pulley is also adapted to lifting the silage to the granary for 
chaffing, and can be removed for use upon any other part of the farm. The 
cost of fixing and making Mr. Martin estimates at 20s. The earth for 
weighting consisted of 20 tons, which was carted and spread by four men with 
two horses in a day, at a cost of 16s. Being hauled into the granary, it 
simply remains to be wheeled on to the top of the silage when the silo is 
filled. On the top of the earth, after filling, there is ample room for the 
storage of straw, hay, roots, and, in fact, almost anything requiring space in 
the farm-buUdings. The efficacy of the earth-system was shown by the per- 
fection of the top layer of silage, none of which was spoiled, although, for 
some inches below, mould was found. In colour it was a yellowish-brown, 
the grasses and clovers being perfectly preserved. The smell was strongly 
alcoholic, but a sample which had been taken from the silo three weeks 
before, though very perfect in other respects, had a pungent acetic smell. In 
using it for feeding purposes it is all chaffed with straw for the stock. The 
cost of the whole was 37?. 15s. 10c?., the proportion for the roof being 11?. 16s. 
Mr. CornisKs Silo. — In this instance three systems of weighting or pressure 
were adopted, Mr. Cornish evidently being under the impression that he could 
not have too much, and preferring to err on the side of excessive than of little 
weight. The silo is 40 feet by 10 feet by 20 feet deep, and is principally 
excavated, although on the side next the road at the eaves it is only 18 inches 
high. The form is a lean-to, and it is intended to erect another silo of a 
similar shape at the back. The walls are of native stone, and vary from 
20 inches to 4j feet in thickness. Over 9000 cubic feet of earth were removed 
at a cost of 19?. 6s. 8c?., the total cost being 82?. 10s., and that of the appa- 
ratus used in weighting 25?. 18s. Id. The roof is of galvanised iron, costing 11?., 
and is formed of 2J-feet sheets next the ridge of the eaves, and 9 feet in the 
centre, in which an opening is made for entrance to the silo. The weighting is 
arranged in three ways. First, there are iron ship-tanks of water, which are 
filled with great ease from a pond upon higher ground, and as easily emptied 
with rubber tubing and a siphon, on to the lower ground behind. Next, 
there are frames IO5 feet by 3 feet, made of 2-incli by 7-inch battens with 
galvanised-iron sheets screwed on the bottom, and costing 11?. 5s. per ton. 
Each frame is divided into three compartments, each comiiartment holding 
5 cwt. of washed gravel, costing nothing but the drawing. Lastly, there are 
levers which are somewhat ingenious, and which operate similarly to those 
used in other silos, although differently made. Two pressure-beams run the 
whole length of the silo. Each beam is composed of two pieces of timber, 
2 inches by 7 inches laid on edge, lined with fender iron, and united by pieces 
of 6 J-inch timber placed every 3 feet. Upon each of these pressure-beams "is 
a chair in which the levers are bolted. The latter are 21 feet long by 3 inches 
wide, and vary from 11 inches in thickness at the butt to 4 inches at the end. 
They are covered on the top and sides with sheet iron. For obtaining pur- 
chase, bars of iron 2* inches by J inches are fixed into the bottom of the silo 
and run up the walls. These are pierced with holes, tlirough either of which 
