Silo? and Silage in Colorado. 
17 
silo are strongly in favor of it. A framework of upright two by 
fours, placed two feet apart, is erected in a circle the size of the 
silo to be built. Expanded metal lath is tacked on the inside. !Two 
to three coats of rich cement plaster are applied on the lath with a 
finishing coat of cement wash, or plaster containing water-proofing 
material. When sufficiently cured, the framework is pulled off and 
two or three coats of plaster are applied on the outside. This 
leaves a solid wall three to three and a half inches thick with the 
metal lath in the center for reinforcement. Where a good quality 
of material is used and good, rapid plasterers are employed, this 
makes a splendid silo. As a general thing, they are more expen¬ 
sive than the solid wall silo built with forms. More cement is nec¬ 
essary and the metal lath in good quality is quite expensive. More 
skilled labor needs to be employed. 
Following is a statement of cost of a plastered metal lath silo 
built by Mr. John E. Painter on his ranch at Roggen, Colorado. 
“My silo is 18x34 feet in the clear, and 4 feet in the ground. 
On account of seepage I have had to plaster the bottom with ce¬ 
ment. I think it the best silo I have ever seen and it is in perfect 
condition. We kept the walls watered for about two weeks, so got 
a complete crystallization in the cement work. I should estimate 
about $430 as the cost, exclusive of roof, chute and floor, which T 
have added since.” 
This silo would have a rated capacity of about 205 tons. 
Cement Block Silo .—The home-made block silo is favored by 
many because it does away with expensive forms. Home-made 
molds can be made cheaply, and the blocks can be made at odd 
times, and, when all made and cured, laid in the wall in cement mor¬ 
tar. The blocks should be made with a groove on one side to al¬ 
low proper place for reinforcement. When well made blocks are 
used and are reinforced at least every second course with heavy 
wire (No. 6) or steel, they make a very durable and attractive silo 
at a cost which is not much greater than the solid-wall type. More 
labor and cement would account for the greater cost. Great care 
should be taken to get all joints tight, and a coat of plaster washed 
with neat cement should be put on the inside to make a perfectly 
tight wall. 
Cement Stave Silo .—This silo has been but recently intro¬ 
duced. The staves are two and a half inches thick, made of rich 
cement in a mold for the purpose. They are tongued and grooved 
on the edees so as to fit more securely when in place. Thev are 
surrounded with strong, flat iron boons at every joint. The inside 
is then treated with an acid and waterproof wash. Tf a thin wall 
