206 
Report on the Practice of Ensilage, 
inserted in the links of each chain to hold the beam down, when the screw- 
tightener can be made to take a fresh hold on the chain for further pressure, 
or be removed altogether. Any number of beams may be used, according to 
the length of the pit and the pressure required per square foot of surface, but 
the chain-tightener and pair of rollers are removed from beam to beam, so 
that only one set of these is sufBcient for any number of silos. What are 
really required for each beam, are the two chains and two brackets or bearings 
into which the chain rollers are placed when in use. 
If, for example, a silo of 15 feet long by 12 feet wide is to be pressed with 
a pressure of 200 lbs. per square foot of surface, two beams would be required, 
each having its two chains. In tightening the chains, a pressure of 8 tons 
can be put upon each beam, or 16 tons on both, and this force, divided by the 
area of 15 feet x 12 feet, equals 200 lbs. per square foot of surface. The silo 
may be any reasonable depth, an extra length of chain being all that is 
wanted. Should a greater or less surface-pressure be required, it is only 
necessary to place the beams nearer together or further apart. So easy and 
powerful is the action of the chain-tightener, that it is found that one man, 
by exerting a power of about 60 lbs. (theoretically 40 lbs.), can put a pressure 
of 8 tons on the beam ; therefore one man only should use the screw, or un- 
necessary pressure may be obtained. By exerting the pressure once daily for 
about a week, it is then found that the silage cannot be compressed further, 
except at considerable intervals: the application of a continuous dead-weight 
is therefore found to be unnecessary. By these patent appliances the pressure 
can also be instantly released, and the boards removed to complete the filling 
of the silo, or when the silage is to be cut ; the pressure can also be applied 
at any depth of the silo, either from the extreme top or at any distance from 
the bottom. The covering-boards for the silo may be 2 inches thick, and the 
transverse beam for a silo of 12 feet wide should be about 9 inches wide by 
7 inches deep. 
The following are the prices of the appliances : — 
£4 
1 
Two wrought tested chains (special brand and pattern),) 
at per foot, depending on depth of silo f 
Two sets of cast-iron brackets for chain-rollers, with) 
eight coach-screws for screwing to ends of beams .. j 
Two washer-plates, with pins for holding down .. 
(The above being required for each beam.) 
4-ton screw cl)ain stretcher, with hooks 
Two cast-iron chain-rollers 
{Sufficient for any number of silos.) 
Example. — A silo 60 feet long, by 12 feet deep, hy\ 
12 feet wide, to produce a pressure of/ 
200 lbs. on the square foot, would require ; £16 
8 beams, carrying 16 chains each of 
20 feet = 320 feet at Is 
16 sets of cast-iron brackets for chain- 
rollers, witli coach-screws for screwing 
to ends of beams, at 8s. per set 
16 washer-plates, with pins for holding 
down, at 2s 
0 16 
0 4 
0 0 
6 8 0 
1 12 0 
£24 
One 4-ton screw-chain and stretcher, with) ^ 
hooks ) 
Two cast-iron chain-rollers, at 10s 1 
0 0 
0 0 
0 0 
£29 0 0 
