ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN^ ASSOCIATION. 21 
:ided upon for the construction of the same, the proportions to be one 
3 art water lime to seven parts coarse gravel, the latter containing 
;and in sufficient quantities to cause the quick and firm cementing of 
he particles. To build the walls, and hold the concrete in place while 
setting, we proceeded as follows, wishing to make the silo 20 feet 
leep, we placed 2x4 scantling 22 feet long at intervals of 4 feet all 
dong the outside of the walls and across the ends, staying them se- 
rurely in a perpendicular position by braces from each. Wishing to 
lave the outside walls 18 inches thick, we placed a second row of 
scantling all around inside the others, 22 inches from them, these were 
dso securely braced, that there might not be any springing, 2 inch 
dank 12 inches wide were then placed inside the frame work, all 
iround on each side, ends being squared so they would fit closely, 
hus forming a continuous box 18 inches wide around the outside of the 
pile. Wishing to divide area in to 3 compartments, we arranged for 
wo cross walls in the same manner, only making these latter 2 feet in 
hickness. We were then ready to begin the work of filling the boxes 
vith concrete, these were filled during the day all around, the con- 
:rete being made a little softer than ordinary stone mortar. After filling, 
he plank were allowed to remain in place until next morning, when 
hey were raised up their width, allowing only one inch to lap on the 
vail below, the box was then filled all around as on the first day, this 
>peration being repeated day after day, raising the wall nearly one 
oot per day all around, and including the cross walls. The walls 
vere finally completed, after having used 537 loads of gravel just as we 
00k it from the pit, and a few barrels over 3 car loads of* Utica ce- 
nent. After the walls were up, they were treated to a coat of plas- 
er on the inside, made of cement and sand, to even up the suffice and 
nake it smooth, that there might be as little resistance as possible to 
he settling of the ensilage. The bottoms were finished by giving 
hem a three inch coat of concrete, then a coat of plastering over that, 
his finished the inside work, and by this time the corn in the fields 
lad passed the proper point for cutting by full three weeks, much of 
t having dried up at the bottoms, while in some ca.ses it was dry 
pore than half way up the stock, with this condition of corn we were 
ery anxious to begin cutting, and as soon as the walls had become 
ufficiently dry, placed our cutting machine and set the power in 
place. We then attached a carrier, identical in construction with the 
traw carrier of a threshing machine. We then began the work of 
:utting the corn, using a Champion reaper, to cut and rake off in bun- 
Hes. Two men were placed in the field to assist the teamsters in 
oading, and with the aid of two teams to draw, we were able to put 
hrough the machine an average ot 23 tons per day, cutting into 
engths of about one half inch, the fodder being dropped at the center 
)f silo, was spread evenly over the bottom by two men, who kept up 
1 continual tramp to compact the fodder as much as possible. A 
orce ot about ten hands were employed in the ensilaging of the corn, 
n 13 days from the time of beginning, the cutting was finished and 
he. silo full, a little more than even with the top. It was then ready to 
ecieve the cover, which was made from 2 inch plank grooving, and 
natching, and putting them together in sections about 4 feet^wide, 
