Class C> J2)/ ^. ()0p>7ight)J^_ COPYRfGHT DEPOSm CONCRETE SILOS Their Advantages Different Types How to Build Them By EKS/tlANSON Affiliated Member Western Society of Engineers, Editor The Cement Era. Author "Cement Pipe and Tile," "Concrete Roads and Pavements," Etc. CHICAGO The; Ce:mknt Era Publishing Company 1916 e^^'^^ ^ .v^^^ Copyright 1915 By The Cement Era Publishing Company 0£f27l9l5 ?)CI.A418215 PREFACE. In this volume the author has attempted to bring together everything of value pertaining to the latest concrete silo construction. His investigation of the subject has led him to believe that there is a demand for such a book. While there is a large mass of literature on concrete silos extant, practically every piece of such printed matter is prepared with special emphasis on some particular type of construction, or on some particular phase of the subject. This volume is an attempt to bring together all the best things in this scattered literature, m'aking it, so far as possible, a complete compendium of concrete silo construction. For this purpose the author has drawn freely upon bulletins of the various cement companies and of the Association of American Portland Cement Manufacturers, as well as upon publications of the State Agricultural Experimental Stations, and the literature of the comj^anies promoting various patented systems. The demand for the book, even before it has appeared from the press, has been so gratifying that it is expected another edition will be necessary at an early date. The author will therefore be pleased to have readers advise him of any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions which they find. E. S. HANSON. Chicago, Oct. 15, 1915. CONTENTS Page Chapter I. Why Build a Silo o II. What a Good Silo Should Be 25 III. How Concrete Meets the Eequirements 30 IV. Advantage Over Other Kinds of Silos 37 V. Size and Shape of a Silo 49 VI. The Different Types of Concrete Silos 56 VII. The Foundation of the Silo 59 VIII. The Monolithic Silo 63 IX. The Polk System 73 X. The Monsco System 79 XI. The Eeichert System 84 XII. Other Monolithic Systems 89 XIII. The Pit Silo 97 XIV. The Metal Lath Silo 102 XV. The Concrete Stave Silo 125 XVI. The Concrete Block Silo 140 XVII. Doorways, Doors, Eoof s, etc 157 XVIII. How to Increase the Silo Business .165 Catalog Section 175 Concrete Silos CHAPTER I Why Build a Silo? The silo is not a fad. It has proven its right to a place in any intelligent scheme of agricultural econom- ics, and it has therefore come to stay. Coming first into existence as a mere hole in the ground, the silo has developed into a structure on which it is worth while to expend engineering ability and architectural skill. Many things have been attributed to Ca?sar and his strategists as the result of military necessity in the prosecution of his famous campaigns. Some of these are recorded in his own Commentaries, while others have perhaps a less stable historical foun- dation on which to rest. Our reading of the Seven Books is too far in the past to allow of a definite state- ment as to whether the famous general himself records the iwe of pit silos for the preservation of forage along his lines of march ; but such have been attributed to him, and the statement sounds plausible, at any rate. The silo has been likened to a giant fruit jar. Ap- parently this idea, too, is not a new one, for it is stated that the early Egyptians, many years before the Chris- tian era, put a part of their crops in large stone jars for preservation, covering them as tightly as possible to exclude the air. The Mound Builders and other (5) 6 Concrete Silos Iprehistoric tribes adopted similar expedients, as is proven by the relics which are unearthed from time to time, while some of the barbaric tribes of the present day build circular bins of interwoven reeds and plaster them on both sides with clay, with a thatched roof for a cover. The following reasons for the popularity of silage are given by T. E. Woodward, of the Dairy Division of the U. S. Department of Agriculture : (1) Silage is the best and cheapest form in which a succulent feed can be provided for winter use. (2) An acre of corn can be placed in the silo at a cost not exceeding that of shocking, husking, grind- ing and shredding. (3) Crops can be put into the silo during weather that could not be utilized in making hay or curing fod- der; in some localities this is an important considera- tion. (4) A given amount of corn in the form of silage will produce more milk than the same amount when shocked and dried. (5) There is less waste in feeding silage than in feeding fodder. Good silage properly fed is all con- sumed. (6) Silage is very palatable. (7) Silage, like other succulent feeds, has a bene- ficial effect upon the digestive organs. (8) More stock can be kept on a given area of land when silage is the basis of the ration. (9) On account of the smaller cost for labor, silage can be used for supplementing pastures more econom- ically than can soiling crops, unless only a small amount of supplementary feed is required. (10) Converting the corn crop into silage clears the land and leaves it ready for another crop sooner than if the corn is shocked and husked. r oncrete Silos Another and even longer list of advantages of en- silage is given by the experts of the Missouri Agricul- tural Experiment Station. They are as follows : (1) Harvesting corn as silage saves from 35 to 40 per cent of the crop that would otherwise be wasted. (2) Silage adds palatableness to the ration. (3) Silage adds succulency to the ration. (4) Silage serves to keep the digestive tracts of animals in good condition. (5) Silage replaces high-priced hay. (6) Silage serves to cheapen the ration. (7) When silage is fed, more feed is eaten, hence more manure. (8) The man who feeds silage uses a manure spreader. (9) The feeding of silage means more intelligence in feeding operations. (10') The feeding of silage results in more intelli- gence in other farm operations. (11) The man who feeds silage will feed with it concentrates rich in protein, and leguminous liay of some kind. Hence, not only more manure, but a bet- ter quality. (12) The man who feeds concentrates and legu- minous hays with silage is apt to try to grow legumes in the rotation. Hence, a better and more productive soil. (13) Silage is a good feed for the general farmer. (14) Silage is a good feed for dairy cows. (15) Beef can be produced more economically when silage forms a part of the ration. (16) Silage is a good feed for calves and stocker cattle. (17) Silage is a good feed for breeding cattle. (18) Silage is a good feed for fattening lambs. (19) Silage is a good feed as a part ration for brood ewes if fed intelligently. (20) Silage can be fed successfully as a part ration to mules. 8 Concrete Silos (21) Silage can be fed successfully as a part ra- tion for horses. (22) Silage may be fed as a conditioner to swine in general, and as a part ration to old brood sows. (23) Silage mixed with wheat and potatoes, equal parts, and boiled in water makes a good ration for poultry. (24) Silage takes up less room in storage than either hay or corn fodder. As to the kind of crops which can be preserved in the silo to advantage, it has been stated that anything which does not have a hollow stem will make good silage. This statement has a reasonable measure of truth. The reason that crops with hollow stems have been excluded is, that it is impossible to get the air pressed out of the stems, and on account of the pres- ence of this air, decomposition is sure to take place. The fact remains, however, that corn is pre-emi- nently the crop for the silo. As stated by Prof. C. H. Eckles, of the Missouri Experiment Station, and borne out by the statements of many other authorities, the total yield of nutrients per acre with this crop is greater than ordinarily secured from any other. It has the further advantage of packing well to exclude the air, and contains the proper amount of sugar to form acids needed to preserve without becoming sour. An acre of corn as silage requires much less room for storage than an acre of corn harvested in any other way. When the harvesting is done the work is mainly over. The field is left clear for any fall sowing. Drilled corn yielding 75 bushels to the acre, when cut and shocked, eleven shocks to the acre, covers about 3 per cent of the area of the field. The shocks remain in the way of the next crop. Before the corn is husked out, bad, rainy, snowy weather often comes. The stalks, Concrete Silos 9 Two of the Four Silos on the Dairy Farm of Thomas A. Edison, at Stewartsville, N. J. blades and shuck become so damaged from the weather that they are not worth much as a feed, even if they were always fed in a dry, clean place where stock could not tramp them into the ground in wet, muddy weather. Tlie process of husking, throwing the corn on the ground, pitching it into a wagon and out again, and then out of the crib into the same wagon before it can be fed, is not only an expensive one, making the farm labor problem still harder to solve, but it is a wasteful one. Much corn damages from the weather. 10 Concrete Silos from rats and mice and from shelling in handling so many times. It costs on an average about 12^ cents to put corn into the shock and about 121^ cents to shuck it out. The stover (stalk without the ear), sells on the average for about 12% cents a shock. This is an expensive operation, even when it is the last resort, but on some farms it is a common practice. However, when a man has no silo in which to har- vest com and his crop rotation is such that corn is to be followed by wheat, or some other fall sowing, about the only thing he can do is to cut the corn and put it into the shock. This is especially true if a man is a grain farmer and cannot forage the corn off. Again it may be stated that while silage can be fed to practically all farm animals to good advantage, it is pre-eminently the ideal ration for cattle, and especially the dairy eow. It thus forms an important link in connecting up one of our largest farm crops with the wide-spread and important industry of cattle raising and dairying. The digestive organs of animals that chew the cud are so formed as to require comparatively juicy and bulky food. The cow cannot, therefore, thrive on ex- clusively dry food so well as can the horse. The near- est an ideal food that can be obtained for the dairy cow is good pasture; but for more than six months in the year green pasture is not available in large sec- tions of this country. The best substitutes to use dur- ing this period are corn silage and such roots as man- gels and turnips. Corn yields an average of twice as much dry matter per acre as do root crops, and, since the latter require much more labor, which in this Concrete Silos 11 country is relatively expensive, silage is far more economical. The dairy cow has been likened unto a factory — a factory for the production of milk and butter. She eats her feed, converts it into blood and from the blood Avhich passes through the mammary gland or udder, she extracts the milk. The output of this factory, like that of any other factory, depends much upon the amount and quality of raw material consumed. No cow can produce a large quantity of milk and butter unless she has the capacity and consumes a large quan- tity of good feed. Since it is impossible to feed fat into milk or change the average per cent of butter fat in a cow's milk by the kind, amount or quality of feed, the thing for us to do is to feed her in such a way as to enable her to produce the maximum amount of milk. From more milk we can get more butter fat. In order to get a cow to consume large quantities of feed, the feed must be good and palatable. Pala- tableness means much. Every feeder of live stock of any kind recognizes the importance of keeping the ap- petites of animals good. During the process of fermentation of silage in the silo, the corn plant is rendered more digestible and more palatable than dry shock corn, and a flavor very acceptable to dairy cows is produced. After cows have been fed silage, they will stretch out their backs and turn their heads in the direction of the feeder the min- ute he starts toward them Avith a box of silage. So well do cows relish silage, they will eat more of it than they do of dry fodder or even of green corn. This is a point in favor of silage, because every cow must eat so much feed for the daily maintenance of her body. After this maintenance requirement is met, all 12 Concrete Silos excess food can be used for the production of milk and butter. However, some cows do not make use of this excess food in this way. They use it for surplus fat and flesh, thereby gaining in weight. The chief dif- ference between dairy cows is shown in the difference in the disposition that they make of their food over and above that required for maintenance. Now, if every cow would absolutely refuse to produce a drop of milk until after her daily body maintenance require- ments were met, some of us would learn a little faster how to feed for milk production. But not every, or even any cow, makes this demand. There are three classes of cows when both cows and the feed they are given are considered : Class 1. Cows that receive more than a maintenance ration and use the excess for the production of milk and butter. Class 2. Cows that receive more than a maintenance ration and use the excess for the production of surplus flesh and fat, storing it away on their bodies, growing heavier every day. Class 3. Cows that receive less than a maintenance ration and have to draw upon the food nutrients al- ready stored on their bodies in order to keep up a flow of milk, thus growing thinner and thinner in flesh every day. This third or last named class is seldom found in the herd of the man who feeds silage. He feeds as a rule an abundance of palatable, succulent silage in combination Avith other feeds richer in protein content. The protein in the ration goes to make bone, muscle and the curd in the milk. Silage is a roughage. RuDr'iants require a greater per cent of roughage in the rai )n than do other classes Concrete Silos 13 of animals. Corn silage comes the nearest to baving all of the properties of good green grass of any of the feeds we have. We can have it in the winter time, too, when grass is gone and other feeds are dry. We can have it in the summer time when the grass is short in dry periods of drought. Silage, above all other feeds, enables tlie dairyman to maintain almost unbroken summer conditions, conditions under which the maxi- mum amount of milk and butter is produced. A feed containing a large amount of water in the form of natural plant juices is not only more easily digested, but is also more palatable and, besides, serves the useful purpose of keeping the whole system of the animal in good condition. A silage-fed animal is rarely troubled with constipation or other digestive disturb- ances, the coat is noticeably sleek and soft, and the skin is soft and pliable. No rough feed is more palatable than good corn silage. Sometimes, however, a cow will not eat silage readily until she has lacquired a taste for it; this may require several days. But silage is not peculiar in this respect, for it has been observed that range horses or cattle shipped into the corn belt refuse corn the first time it is offered to them. The quality of palatability is of great importance, as it induces a large consump- tion and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. The advantage of silage in the dairy industry was at one time put into a forcible statement by W. B. Barney, state dairy commissioner of Iowa. Among other things he said: The dairy cow is the most economical producer of human food on the farm if fed and cared for in an in- telligent manner. The milk of a cow that produces 10,000 pounds yearly contains 8,710 pounds of water, 14 Concrete Silos 290 pounds of fat, 485 pounds of sugar, 340 pounds of protein and 75 pounds of ash. Therefore, it is evi- dent that the cow must consume large quantities of succulent feed to produce milk economically. The grass in summer provides her with such feed, but if the farmer is without a silo his cows are deprived of succulent feed for winter use. No man keeping six or more cows can afford to be Avithout a silo, regardless of its first cost. Today the silo is no longer an experiment, and prac- tically all the leading dairymen of the country are using them. Some seven or eight thousand new silos have been built in Iowa alone during the past year, which is sufficient evidence that they are a success. We are not suff'ering today in the rural districts for the want of finding new things so much as we are for the simple application of the things we already know. Practically every farmer admits that the silo is a good thing, but he puts off until tomorrow what he should do today, and the waste of crop continues from year to year. In the corn belt where stalks are allowed to stand in the field, 40 per cent of the crop is wasted. It has been estimated that an acre of corn put up in a silo has a value of $45, while the same standing in the field and husked has a value of $27. Thus it can be seen that the silo nearly doubles the value of the corn crop. In feeding silage with alfalfa or clover hay we have practically a balanced ration all raised on the farm. Experiments have been conducted at the Kan- sas and other stations which show that the grain ra- tion can be cut down one-half the usual amount where alfalfa or clover hay and silage are fed. Silage always plays a prominent part in the economical ration of most farm animals, and may the day be not far distant when the silo will be as common a sight on the Iowa farm as the corn crib is today. In the Central West corn is hailed as the king of all cereals, forming the backbone of the rations of the majority of our farm animals. By placing corn in the Concrete Silos 15 silo the stalk as well as the ear is preserved, thus mak- ing the whole corn plant available for feeding pur- poses. Practically 40 per cent of the feeding value of the corn plant lies in the stalk, leaves and husks, the remainder in the ear. Therefore, if only the ears are gathered, much of the remaining 40 per cent of the crop remains in the field to bother the farmer in pre- paring his seedbed for the following year. As corn should be cut for the silo before the lower leaves are lost there is practically no waste. About twice the amount of dry matter can be stored in the form of silage as corn fodder. A cubic foot of hay in the mow contains about 4.3 pounds of dry matter, while a cubic foot of silage contains 8.9 pounds of dry matter. A cubic foot of space in the silo is, therefore, worth more than twice an equal space in the mow. The digestive organs of animals that chew their cud are so formed as to require comparatively juicy and bulky feeds. The cow cannot thrive on dry feed as well as the horse. The ideal food for the dairy cow is green pasture, but for a number of months during the year she is deprived of this feed. The best sub- stitutions for green pasture are root crops and corn silage. As silage yields twice as much dry matter per acre as roots and does not require as much labor, silage is by far the more economical wherever corn can be raised. Silage has a laxative effect upon the animal and aids in maintaining a healthy and vigorous condi- tion. The population of the United States is doubling every thirty years, which means that the farms will gradually become smaller and that more feed must be produced per acre. The high price of land also de- mands that more intensive methods must be used to obtain a dividend in proportion to the value of the soil. Practice tells us that one acre of corn placed in the silo will yield enough feed to supply a milk cow 40 pounds of silage for 500 days or 4 cows 125 days. Another important factor is the reduction in stor- age space of silage compared to that required for hay. 16 Concrete Silos One ton of clover hay occupies 400 cubic feet, while 8 tons of silage can be placed in the same space. The clover hay contains 886 pounds of digestible nutrients, while the silage contains 2,064 pounds. Thus the corn silage occupying the same space as the clover hay con- tains two and a half times the digestible nutrients. Silage as a milk producer compares verj favorably with the other more concentrated and more expensive feeds. Being a very succulent and palatable feed, it can be very aptly termed the great substitute for pas- ture in the corn belt. We all look forward to the in- creased milk flow when the cows lare turned to pasture in the spring after having received nothing but dry feed for six months. The milk cow is a sensitive ani- mal at hard work and should be nurtured on the best feed possible. Silage makes possible a succulent feed for winter use, spurring the appetite of the cow and causing her to relish her feed in winter as well as summer. Several years ago at the Ohio Experiment Station the substitution of silage for grain in the ration proved very successful. Silage was used to take the place of over half the grain ration and proved to be much cheaper. The silage ration produced milk for 68 cents per 100 pounds and butter fat at the rate of 13 cents per pound. The grain ration produced milk at $1.05 per 100 pounds and butter fat for 22 cents per pound. This made the profit from, the silage ration $5.86 per month, and of the grain ration $2.46 per month. There is an occasional suggestion that milk from silage fed cows has a disagreeable flavor. In order to determine what foundation, if any, there was for this belief, a series of experiments was sometime ago un- dertaken by the Agricultural Experimental Station of the University of Illinois. For the purpose of these experiments, the Univer- sity dairy herd was divided into two lots, one of which was fed 40 pounds of corn silage per cow per day, to- Concrete Silos 17 gether with a small amount of clover hay and grain. The feed for the other lot consisted entirely of clover hay and grain. The milk from both the lots was cared for in exactly the same manner and was standardized to 4 per cent of butter fat in order that there might be no difference in the flavor of the two lots of milk on account of the variation in this respect. The people whose tastes were consulted with re- gard to the milk were divided into three classes : ladies, men of the faculty, and students. In one case the silage had been fed one hour before milking. Of the 29 ladies who sampled this milk, 10 preferred the silage milk, 14 the non-silage, and 5 had no choice. Of the men of the faculty, 27 preferred the silage milk, 20 the non-silage, and 7 had no choice. Of the students, 20 preferred the silage milk, 4 non-silage, and 4 had no choice. A preference for silage milk was indicated by 51 per cent of the 111 tests made when silage was fed one hour before milking. When silage was fed at time of milking, 71 per cent preferred silage milk, and when fed after milking 51 per cent reported the same pref- erence. Of the total tests, amounting to 372 persons, 223 preferred silage milk, 109 non-silage milk and 40 had no choice. In making an investigation of the entire silo ques- tion, The Tiventieth Century Farmer, of Omaha, says that it found one man who, although having three silos on his place, claimed that silage was too expensive a fped for profitable use, and that he would not recom- mend other farmers to erect silos. He told the investi- gator that alfalfa was a much better and cheaper feed and he believed better results could be obtained by feeding more alfalfa and less silage. He was discov- 18 Concrete Silos ered, however, plowing up an alfalfa patch, putting in some com, and not feeding any new alfalfa that season. This resulted in an investigation, which seemed to show that the man's statements were prompted by selfish motives, rather than by his real feeling in the ciase. It was found that he had bought up during the winter, from his neighbors who did not have silos, and were thus compelled to sell, a lot of calves and young cattle, feeding them on the silage he had stored in his silos and making a very nice profit on the deal. If his neigh- bors were encouraged to build silos the possibility of his again taking advantage of their unfortunate cir- cumstance would be very slight indeed. One line of investigation followed by The Twentieth Century Farmer was to find out whether or not a much larger percentage of cattle could be maintained on the farms of the country by the more extended use of the silo and the feeding of silage year after year. This question was therefore asked of numerous farmers of from one to seven or eight years' experience in feeding silage, what percentage more of cattle could be kept profitably on their farms if they had sufficient silo room in which they could be sure to have silage to supple- ment the pastures in dry periods, and also to have plenty of this feed for winter time. While none of them had definite figures they could give, they all had some ideas based on their feeding experience. The answers to these questions from probably 50 different silo users have been that they could keep from 50 to 100 per cent more cattle by the use of the silo than they could without. Silage stands first in rank of all the roughages for finishing cattle, says T. E. Woodward, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Formerly, during the era Concrete Silos 19 of cheap corn and other concentrates, little attention was given to the roughage, as it was usiially considered merely a ''filler" and of very little economic value in feeding. No especial care was taken in selecting any particular kind, nor was the quality of it seriously con- sidered. As the prices of the concentrated feedstuffs advanced, the feeder looked about for methods of cheapening the cost of producing beef, and soon found this could be accomplished by using judgment in select- ing his roughage with respect to the grain fed. This has continued until at the present time the roughage receives as much attention as the concentrated feed, and has been made to take the place of a large amount of the latter. The feeding of silage came into general use with the advent of expensive grain and is becoming more popular each year. With the present prices of feedstuffs, there is hardly a ration used for feeding cat- tle which cannot be cheapened by the use of this suc- culent feed. By combining it with other feeds, the efficiency of the ration is increased to such an extent that the amount of the daily gains is invariably greater and the cost of producing a pound of gain is lessened. The heaviest daily gains are usually made during the first stage of the feeding period, and silage can then be used to advantage in large quantities with a small amount of grain, but as the feeding progresses the amount of silage should be lessened and the grain increased. In some places the price of hay and stover is so high that the greater the proportion of silage used in the ration the more profitable is the feeding. Silage is a quick finishing roughage in that it pro- duces large daily gains and produces a glossy coat and a soft, pliable skin. Moreover, it can be used to advan- 20 Concrete Silos tage at times for carrying cattle for a longer time so as to pass over a period of depression in the market, or to carry the cattle along in thrifty condition so they can be finished at a later period. For many years the belief was general that cattle which received silage as a major portion of the rough- age would have to be kept in warm barns and not ex- posed to the cold. While they do need protection from the cold winds 'and rains and need a dry place to lie down, it has been clearly demonstrated that warm barns are not only unnecessary, but that fattened cat- tle make both larger and cheaper gains when fed in the open sheds than when confined in barns. Silage can be profitably used to supplement the pastures for steers during a time of drought, when they are being finished for market. The general impression that choice or prime car- casses cannot be made by the use of succulent feed is equally untrue, as the silage-fed cattle usually make more desirable carcasses than cattle fed a similar ration except that silage was replaced by one of the coarse fodders. There is no appreciable difference in the percentage of marketable meat that steers will dress out which have been finished on a silage ration and .a dry ration. The meat seems equally bright and the fat as well intermixed with the lean. A number of the agricultural experiment stations have conducted experiments at various times to ascer- tain the value of silage as a rough feed. At the Mis- souri Station, some experiments were made with two- year-old fattening steers, under direction of Prof. H. D. Allison. Without going into the details of this ex- periment it will be necessary only to give a few para- Concrete Silos 21 graphs from the summary made by Professor Allison. He says : A ton of silage, as used in this experiment, was ap- proximately equal to one-half ton of clover hay. Estimated on the basis of net profit per steer, a ton of dry matter in the form of com silage yielded 50.3 per cent greater value than a ton of dry matter in the form of shock corn. It is evident from the data given that it takes less grain in the form of shelled corn to fatten two-year-old steers when corn silage composes a part of the ration. A superior finish is obtained on fattening cattle which are marketed in the spring when silage composes a part of the ration. A similar experiment at the Iowa station brought practically the same results. Regarding it. Prof. John M. Evvard stated that ''the silage-fed cattle, without a single exception, returned greater profit than when clover was fed as the only roughage. By using silage the gains in weight were cheapened and the profit per steer increased." Some very valuable cattle feeding tests have been conducted at the Pennsylvania State Experiment Sta- tion, among them an experiment to determine to what extent silage could profitably be used in steer feeding. This experiment lasted 126 days. The results of the test are given in detail by Prof. W. A. Cochel, in Bulle- tin No. 118, issued by the Pennsylvania station. The results of this experiment are interesting at this point, not only because silage formed a part of the ration used, but on account of some valuable data de- rived, showing that during the early part of the feed- ing period some ear corn or shelled corn can profitably be replaced by silage. 22 Concrete Silos In his Bulletin Professor Cochel says: "Experi- ments at this and other stations have shown that the addition of corn silage to the rations that are usually fed to fattening animals, results in 'cheaper and more rapid gains in the feed lot, and that its succulent nature causes cattle to shed the hair early and to look more attractive than those fed exclusively on dry feeds. A further advantage in Pennsylvania is that an excellent quality of corn silage can be produced in localities where the season is too short for corn to mature." The value of corn silage as a part of the ration in fattening cattle is also shown from the results of a feeding test conducted at the Indiana Experiment Sta- tion. The results of this test are shown by Dean J. H. Skinner and Prof. F. G. King, in their Bulletin No. 163. These gentlemen state that : The addition of corn silage to a ration for fattening cattle decreased the consumption of shelled corn in amounts closely approximating the grain content of the silage consumed by the cattle. The addition of corn silage once daily to a ration of shelled corn, cottonseed meal and clover hay, re- duced the cost of gains $1.83 per hundred pounds and increased the total profits $11.19 per steer. The substitution of corn silage for clover hay in a ration of shelled corn, cottonseed meal and clover hay reduced the cost of gain $4.35 per hundred pounds and increased the profits $17.97 per steer. The more nearly corn silage replaced the clover hay in the ration the cheaper was the gain and the greater the profit. Corn silage produced a very rapid finish on the cattle. The Missouri Experiment Station has secured from a large number of farmers in that state their experi- ence in the feeding of silage. Concreta Silos 23 In reply to the following question: ''By feeding silage do you find your feed bill for the year is any less than when silage is not fed?" 196 correspondents out of 200' answered, ''Yes;" two answered, "I don't know," and two said, " I can't tell yet." One hundred and fourteen of these men feed cattle. Out of 114 replies to the following question: "Do you find that it requires less grain to fatten a steer when silage forms a part of the ration?" 112 answered, "Yes;" one replied, "I do not know," and one said, "I have not had enough experience to enable me to answer this question." In answer to the question: "Do you find that it costs less to fatten a steer when silage forms a part of the ration?" 112 answered, "Yes," two answered, "I don't know." The correspondent cattle feeders were also asked the question: "What per cent has the feeding of silage lessened the cost of production of beef on your farm?" Out of 79 replies, there was but one who was willing to say that there was no decrease in cost ; 17 answered 25 per cent ; 10 answered 33 1-3 per cent ; 12 answered 50 per cent ; while other replies were scattered over a wide range of gain. A stock raiser writing to The Independent Farmer has this to say of the feeding of silage : We consider the silo as necessary as our barns. In fact, we could not afford to do business on high-priced land without such economical feed as silage. It enables us to keep up a heavy milk flow from our cows at a very low cost. During the past year, in our cow test- ing association, one of our Holsteins returned us a profit of $131 over and above her feed, and we sold our silage to her at $3 per ton. Our entire herd returned us an average profit of $101.05, over and above their 24 Concrete Silos feed. This does not include the calf, manure, nor skim milk. These very gratifying results to us would have been impossible if we had not had a silo. We use silage a great deal to supplement our pasture. In fact, this coming summer we are going to feed silage and alfalfa the year around. We feed silage to everything on our farm. Brood sows especially relish a light feed each day, and during the suckling period it greatly stimulates the milk flow. Our hens are considerably better because of their receiving a liberal ration of silage. Our brood mares and colts have for their noon- day meal during the winter about fifteen pounds of this excellent feed. In fact, we never had our colts grow better than since we started feeding silage and alfalfa. For all classes of live stock these two great feeds go hand in hand. CHAPTER II What a Good Silo Should Be Before determining whether any particular type of silo is good or bad, it is necessary first to decide what are the requirements which make for efficiency in silo construction. It is only by applying certain standards to any article that we can decide on its fitness or un- fitness for the purpose for which it was intended. It is therefore essential that everyone who has to do with silos, including the farmer, the builder, the agricul- tural engineer and economist, and the promoter of silo construction, should know how to value a silo to determine whether it will do the work expected of it and justify the expenditure of money which it requires. Let us then set down the principal requirements for an efficient silo. It should be : 1. Airtight, 2. Moisture proof, 3. Fire proof, 4. Vermin proof, 5. Frost proof, 6. Strong, 7. Durable, 8. Cheap as to maintenance cost, 9. Round in shape, 10. Smooth as to interior w^alls. Having thus arbitrarily stated our standards, at least most of which will be recognized as correct by anyone who understands the purpose of the silo, it will nevertheless be worth while to take up each one of (25) 26 Concrete Silos these separately and determine the grounds of its importance. (1) Airtightness. It is quite customary, as we have already done in the first chapter of this volume, to liken a silo to a giant fruit jar. And whether can- ning is being done in the home or on an extensive com- mercial scale in a canning factory, it is recognized as of prime importance that the contents of the can shall be sealed positively from the air. For this purpose a material which is absolutely airtight is used — glass in one instance, and tin in the other — ^and the seal is made in one case with a rubber gasket and in the other with a solder joint. The demand for the exclusion of air has a perfectly well recognized scientific basis. The spoiling of fruit or vegetables in a can, or the spoiling of silage in a silo by rotting, is simply a bacteriological action and will not take place unless oxygen be pres- ent to support the organisms which destroy the con- tents of the receptacle. (2) Imperviousness to Moisture. It is necessary that the walls of a silo be impervious, not only to ex- clude moisture from the outside, which at times might enter in such quantities as to do considerable damage to the contents, but also to preclude the possibility of the natural juices in the silage from being lost. As previously pointed out, one of the advantages of silage is the fact that these juices are retained rather than being allowed to evaporate, as in the case of ordinary h.ay. So the silo which approaches closest to the ideal will be the one which retains the contents in as nearly its original condition as possible. (3) Fireproof ness. In addition to the value of the silo itself, the contents of the silo can perhaps be taken at a value of about $5.00 per ton as an average Concrete Silos 27 figure. Assuming that one has a silo 16 feet in diame- ter and 40 feet high, the contents of this silo when full will weigh about 180 tons and will thus be worth about $900. The situation is easily imaginable, however, where the value of the contents of the silo could scarcely be estimated in dollars and cents — a situation where, if it w^ere to be destroyed, the feeding value of its contents could be replaced only through much trouble and financial distress. Add to this fact that other consideration which is too lightly recognized, namely, that a fire on a farm is one of the most hope- less things in the world, placing everything in its wake practically at its mercy until its ravages are exhausted, and it is easy to understand why fireproofness is placed as one of the essentials of the ideal silo. A report of the fire marshal of Iowa shows that 480 barns were destroyed by fire in that state in a single year. (4) Exclusion of Vermin. Not taking into consid- eration the destruction of the silage which may be ac- complished by rats and other pests, it is necessary, in order to maintain the qualities enumerated under head- ings 1 and 2 above, that the construction of a silo be such as to exclude these animals. The silo cannot ex- clude air and moisture if it is of such a construction that rats or other animals can make holes through which they can run in and out freely. (5) Exclusion of Frost. This is a consideration which will be a vital one in some latitudes, while in other parts of the country, where the winters are less severe, it is not of such important consideration. It is well recognized, of course, that frozen silage should not be fed to animals. The type of construction, therefore, which can completely exclude the frost, or at least re- 28 Concrete Silos duce the amount of frozen silage to the minimum, is the efficient type to build. (6) Strength. Experiments have shown, as noted in another chapter of this book, that the bursting pres- sure on a silo wall is 11 pounds per square foot for each foot of depth of silage ; that is, in a silo built to a height of 20 feet, the bursting pressure at the bottom of the silo is 220 pounds per square foot. In addition to taking care of this inside pressure, the silo must also be sufficiently strong to withstand storms of vari- ous kinds. Winds of high velocity and much force are not uncommon and ^are especially prevalent in those parts of the countiy where the largest number of silos is likely to be built; and as climatic disturb- ances of this kind are more frequent in the spring and early summer, when the silo is likely to be empty, it is quite necessary that the silo itself have sufficient stability to meet these storms without any dependence upon the contents to weight it down. (7) Durability. By this term is meant the ability of the silo to continue in service without -appreciable impairment during a long term of years. The absolute cost of any structure is not the initial expenditure, but the cost per year through its period of usefulness. If for instance, a silo costing $240 has a life of 40 years, the capital investment is $6.00 per year. On the other hand, if a silo costing $60.00 has a life of but 4 years, the capital investment is $15 per year. (8) Maintenance. This is a question which must be considered in close connection with that of dura- bility. The structure in order to be efficient must not only entail a reasonable capital investment per year of life, but must also be as free as possible from main- tenance cost. A silo which requires considerable time Concrete Silos 29 spent upon it each year to nuaintain it in reasonably good condition is not as close to the ideal as we should be able to get. For one thing this maintenance is an annoyance and an expense, and for anotlier thing it is likely to be frequently neglected, thus reducing the preserving power of the silo. (9) Shape. The cylindrical silo is most econom- ical of material, easiest to provide with resistance to working strains, easiest to fill. The absence of corners makes it practically impossible for air pockets to form if reasonable care is exercised in filling. (10) Smoothness of Interior Walls. [By having the interior walls smooth and free from ledges or offsets, the silage will settle down perfectly, thus effectually excluding the air and also .allowing the largest pos- sible amount of silage to be placed. CHAPTER III How Concrete Meets the Requirements Having pointed out in Chapter II the standards of efficiency by which any silo must be judged, it is of interest to note how completely concrete as a building material fulfills all these requirements. Concrete can, in the first place, be made both air- tight and moisture proof. It is well known that the composition of concrete can be governed to suit the particular requirements in any case. If it is desired to make it impervious to both air and moisture, it is only necessary to so proportion the various sizes of aggregates and so regulate the amount of cement that dense and impervious concrete will result. If it is desirable to further insure the non-porous nature of the concrete, it may have added to it some other ingredient for making it still more dense. There are ^a large number of such products on the market, perhaps most of which will answer very well the pur- pose for which they are intended. The same result can also be attained by giving the concrete a surface treatment, either of a cement wash or of some proprietary pore-filling compound. There are also a number of these on the market, some of which have a bituminous or asphaltic base and could be used only on the interior walls, while others have a pleasing appearance, or are absolutely colorless, and could be used exteriorly. It is generally conceded that concrete itself can, if given proper attention, be made sufficiently dense (30) Cancrete Silos 31 for all practical purposes; but with the addition of one or the other of these methods of excluding )air and moisture, there can be no doubt whatever of the effi- ciency of concrete for silo construction so far as these qualities are concerned. Concrete has proved its fireproof qualities on so many different occasions, and in so many different situ- ations, that it is scarcely necessary to go farther than a mere statement of the case. There are on record A Silo Which Withstood Fire on Farm of John H. McCoy, Harrisville, Pa. instances of a large number of silos which have suc- cessfully withstood the ravages of fire where all other surrounding buildings have been destroyed. In addi- tion to saving the silo itself, concrete is such a poor conductor of heat that if silo openings are properly protected, the contents of the silo will also be saved in good condition. Concrete is proof against the ^attacks of vermin. There is no material which offers stronger resistance to the attacks of rats and other pests than concrete. Concrete will give as good a protection against 32 Concrete Silos frosts as any other material. Of course this is a mat- ter which varies greatly with the latitude, so that while in some localities frost does not have to be con- sidered, there are other places where it is almost im- possible to exclude frost entirely. In these latter locali- ties it has been found that a double concrete wall with an air space intervening will reduce the destruction of silage by frost to a minimum. In fact, it is safe to say that there is no latitude where corn can be raised where a silo of this kind, if properly constructed, and with openings protected, will not keep the silage in practically perfect condition. After a Cyclone Near Georgetown, Kentucky, in Which 81 Barns Were Destroyed in a Single County Concrete Silos 33 In this connection, it might be well to suggest that frozen silage, which is often attributed to frost getting through the walls, is frequently caused hy insufficient protection at the top. The fact that this freezing is only around the wall does not disprove this statement. The silage is of course colder next to the wall than it is in the middle of a silo, and with the loss of heat from above, the outside ring will naturally freeze first. As each day's silage is removed, the freezing continues on down, and the farmer believes that the silage is frozen for its entire depth. Investigation, however, would in many cases show that this is not so, but that it is frozen only ^a few inches below the surface. As to strength, concrete is also subject to the will of the builder. By the addition of a sufficient amount of steel, he can build it to withstand any desired strain. One of the pre-eminent qualities of concrete is dur- ability. When once built, and built right, it is prac- tically indestructible. It is sufficiently heavy to main- tain its position against winds or other elemental forces, and it is not affected by age, except that as it grows older, it grows stronger. The objection has often been raised against cement that it is affected deleteriously by the acids in the silage. This contention has never been proven and there are numberless authoritative statements to the contrary. It might be pointed out, however, that even if there should be a slight eating away of the con- crete by these acids, such action can effectually be counteracted by some asphaltic or bituminous prepara- tion once every three or four years. If such a coat- ing as this is considered necessary, this is practically the only item of maintenance cost which it will be 34 Concrete Silos found necessary to expend upon the silo other than perhaps occasional renewing of the roof, unless a con- crete roof should be put on in the first place. Concrete, therefore, admirably fulfills the requirements of low maintenance cost. One of the manufacturers of concrete silos has gone to considerable trouble to gather expressions of opin- ion from the various agricultural colleges regarding the concrete silo. An expression was especially asked on the question of the efi^ect of the acid in silage on concrete, since this is one of the main arguments us^d Three Concrete Silos in Perfect Condition After a Wind Storm — Photo by Courtesy of Sanders Pub. Co., Chicago by the opponents of concrete silos. Some of these statements are as follows: It has been our experience on the college farm, and the experi- ence of the men for whom we have supervised the construction of the cement silos, that when properly built they preserve silage in first-class shape. We have never noticed the effect of the acid of silage on the walls of a concrete silo. — O. E. Eeed, Professor of Dairy Husbandry, Kansas State Agricultural College, Man- hattan, Kansas. I think it has been definitely established that among all types of silos, the concrete silo is one of the most durable. The action of the acid in the silage on the durability of the concrete is not a large factor in any event, and when the silo lining is covered with a proper glazed coating, this action is practically negligible. — F. B. MuMFORD, University of Missouri, Columbia. Concrete Silos 35 A silo, if made with impervious walls so as to exclude the air and retain the moisture, if made so as to be sufficiently rigid and of sufficient strength to resist the bursting pressure of the silage, and lastly if smooth on the inside to permit the silage to settle properly, will keep the silage regardless of the kind of material used in the construction. Concrete silos can be made to meet all these requirements. There is abundant evidence of this and in no case have we found spoiled silage in any silo where these essentials were incorporated. — J. B. Davidson, Professor of Agri- cultural Engineering, Iowa State College, Ames. I have constructed quite a number of concrete silos and have found that when the concrete silo is constructed properly, it will preserve the silage in good condition. I have also found that the acid of silage has very little effect on the concrete. — J. W. Ridg- WAY, Professor of Dairy Husbandry, Agricultural and Mechani- cal College of Texas, College Station. Concrete silos on the whole will keep silage as well as any other silo. With concrete walls made of properly proportioned and well mixed cement, sand, gravel, and the inside washed with grout, one need not fear injury to the walls due to the acids in the silage. I have examined quite a number of concrete silos and have not seen a single one where the acids have made any permanent injury to the walls. It is my opinion that the effect of the acids in silage on a concrete wall is a minor matter. — C. F. Chase, Assistant Professor Agricultural Engineering, North Dakota Agricultural College. It is my opinion that concrete silos keep silage as well as other makes, and that when the concrete of the silo is properly glazed the acid in the ensilage does not have any injurious effect upon the concrete. — W. L. Fowler, Head Department of Ani- mal Husbandry and Dairying, University of Arkansas, Fayette- ville. There is positively no truth in the statement that cememt silos are destroyed by the acids in the silage. These silos have been in use for about twenty years. A few days ago I was talking to a gentleman who had just examined a stone silo that was plas- tered with cement plaster twenty-five years ago and had not been lepaired since, and it is now in perfect condition. We have seven of these concrete silos on the college farms that are keeping silage fully as well, if not better, than our two wooden silos. — A. S. Neale, Dairy Husbandry, Kansas State Agricultural College, Man- hattan, Kansas. A great many objections are made to concrete as a suitable material for silo construction. These statements, of course, come from competing builders, mostly wood stave silo people. Obser- vations of concrete and wood stave silos standing side by side show that the freezing is not greater in one than the other. By coat- ing the concrete walls with a wash of neat cement or tar pitch they can be made perfectly air, water and acid proof. That concrete stave silos are a success has been demonstrated beyond 36 Concrete Silos a doubt by those built, not only in tbis state, but other states as well. Silos of this type are known to have been used isuccessfully for eleven years without the least sign of deterioration or loss of silage through spoilage. — Agricultural Experimental Sta- tion, Ft. Collins, Colorado. Concrete silos have been in use for at least fifteen years in this state, and are giving excellent satisfaction. There is no serious effect of the silage acid on the concrete. — F. M. White, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Wisconsin. Concrete can very readily be made round in shape. It is the most plastic material of any with which the silo builder will have to deal, and can be fitted perfeotly to his requirements in every way. Concrete can be given absolutely smooth interior walls. In monolithic silos, the walls will automatically assume a smooth surface if proper care is used, even without any surface treatment, while where concrete units are used, these form an admirable surface on which to plaster or to apply any smooth surface coating. CHAPTER IV Advantage Over Other Kinds of Silos In addition to concrete there are five materials which are sometimes used for the construction of silos — stone, brick, structural tile, wood and iron. In every one of these concrete is almost invariably used at some point: for the foundation wall, the floor, the mortar with which the units are held together, the surface finish, or the roof. This being the case, it is coming to be more and more asked, Why, if concrete is a good material for these parts of a sil6, should it not be used for the entire structure. It would be worth while thus to do away with the complications arising from the use of two or more different materials, if for no other reason. None of the materials enumerated has any advan- tages over concrete as a material for silo construction. Some of them have decided disadvantages, as a careful study of them will show. Of all the above materials, stone comes perhaps nearest to having the high percentage of efficiency of concrete, so far as most of the requirements are con- cerned ; and yet, in the face of this, it is the one mate- rial which has been almost abandoned for silo con- struction. This is not to be wondered at when one comes to consider the matter; for it is a slow and expensive construction, giving no increased benefit for its increased cost. There are comparatively few farms which are situated advantageously with respect to a supply of stone suitable for building purposes; while (37) 38 Concrete Silos if such a supply is available, it is a slow process, and one requiring the employment of expensive skilled labor, to work this stone into shape and lay it up in the wall. Then, too, ordinary building stone at the best will usually show a greater degree of porosity than good concrete. It is easy to see why this is so. Concrete is, to be sure, composed of stone — possibly even a poorer grade of stone than would be considered fit for ma- sonry work; but in concrete each particle of stone is covered with a film of cement, while in stone masonry there is no such protective coating. But with a scarc- ity of stone, there is always a probability that one who wants to build with this material will be satisfied with less than the best, thus working into the structure a material of even greater porosity, and possibly one also which will disintegrate rapidly under the action of the elements. Neither will stone give a sufficiently smooth interior surface, making it necessary to give it a plaster coat if the best results are to be secured. Brick is open to the same objection as stone, so far as porosity is concerned. Tests made at various times and places have established beyond question the fact that a well made concrete has a greater density, and will consequently exclude air and moisture more per- fectly, than any grade of brick which would be likely to be used in silo building. Brick is also inexpedient for this purpose because of the fact that it usually has to be hauled a considerable distance, and on top of this haulage cost is often a freight bill for shipment by rail from a distant brick yard. In the case of brick, too, practically all the material has to be hauled in, the only local material used being a small supply Concrete Silos 39 of sand for mortar, if such is obtainable, though the local supply might be of such a quality that, while very good for concrete work, the bricklayer would not con- sider it of the right quality for mortar. One of the great advantages of concrete for any work on the farm has always been that local materials could be utilized to a large extent, not only cutting down the hauling, but, where a good grade of sand and gravel is found on the owner's own farm, making the cost of it practically nothing. In this day of the Forty-Two Acres of Corn Spoiled by the Collapse of This Clay Tile Silo study of economics and the demand for efficiency along all lines, it would indeed ])e a sad reversion to ineffi- cient methods for a man to bring in outside materials at a loss not only of hauling time, but of actual cash, when he has suital)le materials right at hand. It is a difficult matter to properly reinforce a brick silo. The reinforcing can be placed only in the mortar 40 Concrete Silos This \ joints between the courses, a more difficult operation, and giving less strength than where the rods are em- bedded in the concrete, as in the case of monolithic concrete work, or where they have special grooves made to receive them, as in the case of concrete blocks, or, again, where they completely encircle the silo, as in con- crete stave construc- tion. Bricks, too, present flat surfaces to each other, having no bond except the mortar joint which connects them, while concrete blocks made especially for silo work usually have some device for interlocking them in both directions, thus making them stronger to withstand strains either from within or without. And brick are open to the same objection as stone in that they do not present a smooth interior surface. With slight modifications, the same objections that have been stated against brick will hold good as against structural tile. The air space of the structural tile will to a certain extent atone for its porosity; but on the other hand it is more expensive than brick and is even more difficult to secure, as it is made only in widely separated plants. In view of the claim of tlie opponents of concrete that it will be destroyed by the action of the acids in silage, it is interesting to note the illustration here re- ;,. a I'ile Silo Collapsed First Night After Filling-. On Farm of Neff Wildrick, Colusa, 111. Concrete Silos 41 produced from an extensive article by one of the expo- nents of clay products. He calls concrete a ''good form of foundation for a hollow block silo"; but if it is good enough for the foundation, where the juices gather and the acids are the strongest, why should he consider it such a dangerous material for the body of the structure? There are perhaps more wood silos sold than any other kind. One reason for this is that they are cheap, and another is that they are short lived and have to be replaced frequently. Certain qualities that are inherent in the very nature of the material of which wood stave silos are Offf Sleel Bar Th Be Burled /n MoFta A Good Form of Foundation for a Hollow Block Silo. Illustration Reproduced from "Brick and Clay Record," Showing Concrete Recommended as Foundation and Floor For a Silo made of necessity take them out of the class of perma- nent structures and put them in the class of temporary expedients. Wood is not an enduring material, espe- cially when exposed to the weather. The very nature 42 Concrete Silos of wood is such that it shrinks when dry and swells when wet. The permanency of a wood stave silo depends entirely upon its maintaining a constant rigidity of structure. It consists of staves set on end, held firmly in place by hoops. As long as the hoops remain tight the structure will be comparative- ly rigid and stable. As soon as the hoops become loose, it be- comes in the highest degree unstable. In the modern wood stave silo the staves are matched and fit- ted together by tongue and groove. The tongue and groove are from % to % inch in depth. The extreme circum- ference of a silo 16 feet in diameter is about 50 feet. It would take very little shrinking to reduce this 50 feet sufficiently to separate a tongue from a groove. Then, unless some method is adopted for holding the stave in place, the stave Avill fall out and the silo be in imminent danger of collapse. If the hoops become loose so as to destroy the rigidity of the structure, it may be worked in any direction by every light wind. A single half day of hot weather is sometimes sufficient to shrink the staves on such a silo to such an extent that every hoop will need to be tightened Effect of Shrinkage of Wood Staves Concrete Silos 43 ill order to make the structure safe. When the hoops are so tightened, a single shower of rain will swell them, to such an extent that either the staves will buckle or the hoops will break. Of course, there can be nothing permanent about a structure made of material in which such qualities are inherent. An illustration printed herewith is made from a photograph taken on the inside of a silo and shows the effect pro- duced by shrinking. No one will imagine for a mo- ment that such a silo would stand erect under a mild wind. When a silo collapses it is a matter of consider- able expense to erect it again. No farmer will be satis- fied with a silo that requires such con- ! stant attention and is in such constant dan- ger. It is reported by The Twentieth Cen- tury Farmer that a wood stave silo was erected on the state fair grounds at Lin- coln, Neb., solely for exhibition purposes by a company- en- gaged in promoting the sah^ of just such silos. It may be taken for granted that it was erected in the best way possible, in strict accordance with the mechanical principles involved in proper erec- Wood Stave Silo Displaced by Wind — Photo hy Coiirtesy of Virginia Apr. Exp. Station 44 Concrete Silos tion. But one side of the silo was blown in, thus ren- dering it practically worthless until it had been repaired. During the summer of 1911 thirty-one stave silos erected in the vicinity of Lincoln, Neb., were inspected. In the inspection no silo was passed by. They were taken singly one by one as they were found. Here is the result of the inspection : Five had blown clear down once before they had been built twelve months; one blew clear down twice before it had been built twelve months ; one blew clear down three times before it had been built twelve months; one blew clear down once before it had been built five years; one blew clear down once before it had been built nine years; two blew clear down, but the date of their erection was not ascertained; eight had been re-erected once before the}" were up twelve months ; one had been re-erected twice be- fore it was up twelve months ; four were leaning badly ; one had been straighten- ed twice; two had very loose hoops ; one had broken nearly every hoop more than once ; only six were in good condition. With such a record as this, it is impossible to classify wood stave silos as permanent structures, and this impossibility rests not, as tlie wood stave silo men claim, upon failure to observe mechanical prin- ciples in the erection of them , but upon qualities Wood Stave Silo After a Fire Concrete Silos 45 inherent in the very nature of the material itself. Nor can such a state of affairs be charged to tlie fact that these silos were not properly guj^ed, because no guying is sufficient to hold such material in place with n ]n^oper degree of rigidity to insure stability. No wood exposed to the action of the elements is safe from decay. The rains that beat upon the out- side of a silo, the change in moisture conditions and in temperature, the ab- sorption of moisture from the enclosed silage, all help to hasten the process of decay. The Twentieth Century Farmer also states that it has on file a statement from a representative of a wood silo company to the effect that 25 per cent of the ensi- lage in concrete silos rots beyond use. The editor brands this unhesitatingly as a false statement. This paper has made an extensive investiga- tion of silos, and in the course of this investigation, concrete silo after con- crete silo has been visited. In no case has dissatisfac- tion with Such a silo been found by the user. Such silos have been in use for a number of years. The ~"~^ tffsg^^'saW Failure of Metal Silo on Farm E. W. Page, Goltry, Okla. of 46 Concrete Silos investigators have not been able to find an owner of a concrete silo who would build a silo frcm any other material. Relative to the action of acids on silos the publication above ({uoted says: "It is very glibly stated by the salesmen of wood stave silos that the acetic acid devel- oped by the process of fermentation in ensilage corrodes and eats away the concrete wall so as ultimately to destroy it. This statement at first glance would seem to have some basis of truth, for the reason that it is a well-known fact in chemistry that acetic acid will attack some of the materials of concrete wherever found, and thereby produce acetates. This fact has been magnified and has been used by wood silo men to damage the reputation of concrete silos. But here is another fact : The amount of acetic acid developed in fermenting ensilage is so small and is so much diluted that it has practically no effect whatever upon the concrete. Con- crete silo after silo has been visited, some of them having been in use for more than 25 years, and in no case has the least evidence of the action of acetic acid upon the silo wall been discovered. The walls are as smooth and clear and clean after 25 years of service as they were in the first place. ''The greater initial cost of masonry silos is another argument used against them by the wood silo men. This argument might be made valid if the wood silo men would put their price where it might be regarded as reasonable. This fact, how^ever, must be remem- bered — that the first year's loss on a wood silo that blows down during the first year and has to be re- erected amounts to more than the initial cost of any masonry silo. The masonry silo, when properly re- Concrete Silos 47 inforced, is a permanent structure. There are no hoops to tighten, no danger from blowing down or from fire. It grows stronger and more stable with each succeeding season. It is good for generation after generation. In some places, owing to cost of material, the initial cost may be a little more than tlic cost of a wood stave silo, but in the end it is a more economic structure." With reference to the metal silo, it will scarcely be necessary to do more than quote a paragraph from the catalogue of one of the companies selling these silos. It states : "In the production of silage, certain mild acids are formed by fermentation, which, if no protection were afforded, would have a tendency to cause the galvan- izing to corrode. To provide against this it is advisable to keep the inside of the silo painted with some elastic, acid-resisting paint." In another paragraph the company advises its cus- tomers to paint the inside of the silo once a year; and this, too, is a company which is selling silos of ''pure iron" — the kind which is supposed to be proof against attacks of any kind. Granting that the acid in silage does have a slight effect upon concrete, such a wall, with a thickness of several inches, will certainly be more durable than a metal wall having a thickness of a small fraction of an inch. The table on the following page, which is a com- pilation of 296 replies to inquiries sent out to Missouri farmers, will serve to show the difficulties experienced with silos of various kinds and the kind of silo pre- ferred, if another should be built. 48 Concrete Silos TABLE I— RESULT OF INQUIRIES MADE AMONG 296 MISSOURI FARMERS K .0 d of Silo 1 r\ u^e Hi: y)ivit\g > rouWe V.ou>ble l\ o\d pre Te r r S>KovA\d V. cd if J. no > V\e T- Cone rete S>avc Gurle-r HoTTxe- made Loose Koop S. •=^tav >ttve ^.T'? Blowing down^lS C»acKcd , > C.S 3 5 3. 3 3 3ol"d concrete 33 3 1 1 Corvcret^e blech IZ Ftoxcv^ Silage, 1 8 33 a«-ir >ei- 3 F r oz: e*\ Sil»gC,3 33 33 3 6 Home-made eK».V ing & +ar poper CGixT-ler +<(p«) •+ rToze.}n. Silage, 1 2S 1 1 B oi f f tJc racy ^ Spoiled 5. 'age, 1 R r From this table it will be seen that the preference is for the concrete silo if another kind is discarded. Out of one hundred men having some difficulty with the stave silo, 38 prefer the concrete if they should build another silo. Not a man having a concrete silo ex- pressed a desire for another kind in the event that he should build another. CHAPTER V Size and Shape of a Silo As has previously been stated, economy and good construction will dictate that the general shape of the silo be cylindrical, and there are at the present time practically no other shapes used. It is generally understood, too, that in an economic and well constructed silo certain relations must be maintained between the diameter and the height. It is sometimes stated that the depth of the silo should not be less than twice nor more than three times the diameter. This rule has, of course, been violated in both directions, but it is probably a less serious error to go above this rather than below. In fact, higher silos are now advocated by some of the best builders, and there is a tendency in some sections to build silos higher than formerly. It is of course recognized that the greater the depth of silage, the better will it be on account of the pressure from above forcing out the air and helping to preserve it. If the height is less than 24 feet, the quality of the silage will not be of the best. On the other hand, an excessive height will increase the cost of filling the silo by making necessary a larger amount of power to ele- vate the material into it. It will also necessitate a long climb for the person whose duty it is to get the silage out. Within the limits defined, it is an easy matter to figure out the size of silo required in any given location. The two dimensions will in general be fixed by two (49) 50 Concrete Silos different considerations. The diameter of the silo will be determined by the size and nature of the herd to be fed, and the lieight by the number of feeding days per year for which it is desired to provide. A common error in building a silo is to make the diameter too great for the size of the herd. When once a farmer has removed the top layer from his silage and has com- menced to feed from it, the silage should be removed at the rate of not less than 2 inches in depth per day in the winter time and 3 inches in the summer time. It is necessary to establish a limit of this kind in order to insure that none of the silage shall spoil. The weight of a cubic foot of silage varies according to the pressure to which it is subjected, but there are certain average figures which can be taken as suffi- ciently accurate. For instance, in a silo 30 feet deep, a cubic foot of silage will average about 40 pounds in weight; so by knowing the amount of silage to be fed daily, it is possible to estimate what the diameter of the silo should be to permit the removal of a certain num- ber of inches in depth each day. Table II, which is taken from Bulletin No. 21 of the Association of American Portland Cement Manufactur- ers, shows the approximate minimum pounds to be fed daily from the various diameters of silos. This is based on winter feeding, and for summer feeding would, of course, be about 50 per cent more, in order to keep the silage in good condition. This table also shows the number of animals which can be fed from each silo on the amount taken away daily at a stated ration for each kind of animal. Of course, many feeders will not make out their rations according to this table ; but with the help of the table, and substituting their own weight Concrete Silos 51 of rations for the ones used in the table, they can de- termine very accurately what size herd they can raise on any diameter of silo, or conversely, they can deter- mine the size of silo necessar^^ for au}^ given herd. Multiplying the depth taken away each day by the number of days wliicli they desire to feed, they Avill be able to get the height of silo necessary. The usual figure taken is 180 days, although the increasing preva- TABLE II — SHOWING MINIMUM NUMBER OF ANIMALS TO BE FED DAILY FROM EACH DIAMETER OF SILO 1 T-\ Tee -y toe Fed Da. Iv rSumber of Ath imals + of o be Fedl -TroTn eo-cK Size Silo 1 1 (fa's. 500-lb Calves 12 lbs S+ocK 20 (b5. Beef Ca + Vie Z3 lbs Da 1 r y Cows 40 lb?,. 3 lbs per day perd-xy per dffv{ p«T d«y per d»^ per day 1 5Z5 48 44 zs 21 13 17^ 1 2 7 5 5 - w e 1 q K + Ctt pa.c 1 +'Y Acre ly Pounds »0 2.a '^«. J?.8 S ^ S lo JO >4r 3.0 SZS 1 o 32. ^/ 3.4 6XS 1 3-* ^6 3.-7 S^S lO 3 a 6S 4.3 S Z6- to ^ o TO -».G s^s- «R X s 61 4. J ■7 53- » s. 3 O 6T ^.5- T SS 1 z. 3 X. -7A- ^.0 -rSs- \7L 3 ^ 80 ir.3 -7SS 1 R 3 G 87 5:e 1 5S 1 ;? 3© 94 Q>.A -7S6' 1 2 ^ O / o< T.3 T SS 1 A- a s 83 -5-.5- 1030 1 A- 3 O 91 61 10 30 lA- 3 X » 00 G.I 1 1030 \4 34 1 09 T.2 1 IO30 1 4 36 1 «6 7.0 10 3 1-^ 3S 1 ae 6.5 I030 1^ -^O I3S &.7L 1030 16 ^8 1 0© -r.Z I3 40 »G ■30 1 19 S.O \ZAO 16 32 131 S.T /3 40 1 e 3-? 1 ^3 9.5- /3 40 \Q> 36 ' » ss 10.3 /340 16 3S 1 «y 1 1. 1 /340 le ^0 > so 1^.0 I340 18 30 15-1 to.o I700 16 3;;^ (66 II. /TOO 1 a 3A )SI 12.0 /TOO 1 8 3 & 1 9G 13.;^ /TOO IS 3S ^ 1 ;?. 14. 1 /TOO \& ^a ;i^9 15.2 6 /TOO IS ^iZ ^ AG 16.4- /TOO IS ^4 ■R. &A I7.G, /TOO IS '4& ze,-z 18.8 /TOO ^ o 30 1 ST U.5 ;?(oo ». 3;?. 205" 13.6 21 00 2 o 3^ ;224 15^^ 21 00 5J.O 3G ;^43 ie.2 ;?ioo 20 -*o 2.6\ la.e 2100 ao '^;e 300 ;?o.o 2/00 ao AA- 320 21.3 '?.\oo zo 46 3^0 2^.6 i^l 00 ^o 4S :?Gi 24. Z\ CO 21 00 „^ 2.0 J-O 3S^ ^s. 5- Concrete Silos 53 D ( — )2x3.14xHx30=pounds of silage. 2 Where D equals diameter of silo in feet. H equals depth of silage in feet. 30 equals weight of silage per cubic ft. Example: To get the capacity of a silo ten feet in diameter containing twenty feet of silage. 10 (_)2X3.14X20X30= 2 52x3.14x20x30= 5X5X3.14X20X30=47,100 pounds silage. 47,100-1-2,000=23.5 tons of silage. In the eighth annual report of the Wisconsin Agri- cultural Experiment Station, Prof. F. H. King gives the results of investigations to determine the pressure of silage against the silo wall. It was found in these experiments that the pressure of silage upon the silo walls increases with the depth and is equal to 11 pounds per square foot of each foot of depth. Thus at a depth of 20 feet, the bursting pressure in a silo is 220 pounds per square foot, and at a depth of 35 feet the pressure amounts to 385 pounds. Prof. J. B. Davidson, of the Iowa Experiment Sta- tion, Ames, la., says that a careful investigation of modern practice proves that an allowance for this pres- sure is sufficient, and that many concrete silos are now standing and in successful service with much less re- inforcement than that required by an assumed pressure of 11 pounds per square foot per foot of depth. This is due to the fact that the wall independent of the steel is able to resist a part of the bursting pressure. Table IV, prepared by Prof. Davidson, gives the steel required in cylindrical silos to carry a bursting pressure of 11 pounds per square foot per foot of depth and it is based on a safe tensile strength of 20,000 TABLE IV — TO DETERMINE STEEL REQUIRED IN REINFORCING SILOS GrQSs^sectional Areq of Steel ^ J Q I I Qi I ZI 'O c H M 03 01 m H ^ H 0«M h1 ;-i o 03 Oj u S ^ pc 3 h^ o a •4-1 31 073 <; wOl o*-> tftf c c HP£ 01 Hf- <;^ ■^o §^ C 1 Jh s 3<1^' bCx3 H J g (^ - (y 10 ^t- V> ^ cv u. cy cy ia»3 ixo4.s — rn V) C9 00 ^ (li 5 n (0 10 ro to 10 T T t ^ N lo to - a> OQ CO T cy h putjs «o CO N 00 (T> (r> (y to L CD ~ "" ~ — ~ oc cy cy ^ ro to — 00 (0 10 - 00 N ^ 4.U9U13^ _ 1- r* ^ »o CO to C5 •o >o 10 10 CO CJk CS N ^ r=^ 'I- 1- «0 f< (* T 00 ■»u 04-S ^ ^9 N CO 10 ■^ CS N cO ^ < 5 cy ^ CV to ro (0 10 10 to 10 N N ^ _ CO If) 10 N t ^ pu.r>g C< 10 n T 10 10 CO N 00 00 — — — ~" "■ ^ ~ — — •— (0 10 N — V to N cy o o flO U. t- CO 00 CJ Tf 00 « < ^U04 g 00 f< W ^ V) cs N fl) to ^ cy o< « 0^ 0< N 00 ■^ ^ ^ « « + U9Ul?Q to •0 b « ^ cs (D f< t (P ^( n r> 10 ?o ^ ^ T T t ir> m In t<) f< « cy < Q SUO. + ^ 10 t ic 2 s CO ^ 10 cy »o in to fO — 10 — in C9 N N od QO 6 "Z - N (0 to to 10 ry « 1- w < au + - w c< n f Q "" _ 10 t<> N — PU-OC, 10 Q 15 r>- o K m o o u. :: S' ~ r) '^ ^ « ^htor xS^rj '^^^ 37AJ.P 2r*> 3 r, <1 "O #- ^rx ^7Aj(^ 1^1 V J r7fy^ yoy\Mi ^T /r^ y7 ^1 ^i ■? ci:,:'/xzr r m 7;'*'/H A <^f *'>V<>7 :o * r .^jj^yij :9u. y/Aj-y r^yy^A efoj. uioyj 3o.\iv.Leia \yy\^t p- .fff] Oj'. riyM ifoj hs3 'irl77Air /• ^jo ■ - V) J « 1 u - K i ? u <^ t- 1- ~ CO ~ ^ " <• Ul M. - 1 3 (- or 1 H < u u (D», E : 2- < - ~ ' «» 3(> -*^ I ->5h J — 1 u - - 7v » - -0_ = >^ i : ^." I - CO >-\'^ 60' - « y ' JsL - ^9 MiL jol 40- < -O ID (C I in o (D ») - (D -_SN ID N -ifi: _M. - >" Y - ff u jes: 0' / / / - , - , , u - ^. u t- in - ir ■• < t (C H o u h J J lO' 1- ~ f- ~ < i 1 u 3 ?o in LI - ^? \N^ 3 o 1/7 — ■- O «i Q Iff « '->^ in 4-0' — J - h u - A" U o — ).« ^ a u < (1 _ <■ j; ID <:< " I/O _ A" ?;" — J f '^ 50' .» < Z rt o o r N j ul S4' -?-!_ ^ J -la r I < — a > Cf tf) — 1. < T (fl o -X'^O -? lO FT OiA .N«' < = (0 o — UJ inches. 24-28 2 strands for every 614 inches. 28-32 2 strands for every 5 32-36 2 strands for every 4 inches. Silos of larger size will require one additional strand of No. 9 wire for every 2 foot increase in diameter. After the metal lath and the wire loops are in place, the thin boards, K, should be nailed in place, care being taken to press the edge as tightly as possible against the lath, since this box is to be later filled with mor- tar. Plenty of nails should be used to hold these boards, but the heads should be left slightly out so that they may easily be drawn later. If this precau- tion is not taken, some difficulty may be experienced in removing this board when the proper time comes. inches, inches, inches, inches, inches, inches, inches, inches. Concrete Silos 113 Bolts are used to secure the plate to the finished wall of the silo, and these must be in place hefore the plastering be- gins. Then %-incli bolts 10 inches long will be sufficient for silos not ex- ceeding 1 6 feet in diam- eter. Holes should be bored in the plate and should be spaced at as nearly equal distances apart as pos- sible. The bolts should be supplied with washers and should be passed through the plate from below, and the nuts put on. The bolts should hang down below the plate just inside the metal lath so as to be covered by the first coat of plaster. It is almost necessary to have a chute on the silo, and provision should be made for attaching this chute Aj'Plying tile i-^ii.-i «.\)aL vf I'laster to the Inside. 114 Concrete Silos by placing five or six bolts % inch by 4 inches in a perpendicnlar line 3 or 4 inches outside of the door post. These bolts may be passed through the metal lath with the nuts on the outside. As the plastering progresses, care should be taken that the bolts are made to project perpendicularly from the wall. The mixture for the scratch coat consists of 1 part of cement, 21/2 parts of sand, and 10' per cent as much hydrated lime as cement. About 1 bushel of hair to every 300 square feet of surface to be covered must be used in this first coat. For the plastering of a silo 16 by 30 feet, about 7 sacks of hydrated lime and 5 bush- els of hair will be required. The lime should be soaked up 10 or 12 hours before it is to be used. The hair should be thoroughly beaten part on a bam floor, and after being soaked several hours should be carefully picked to pieces and worked into the lime putty which has been prepared. If care is used, the hair will be thoroughly mixed with the lime and the mixture can be added to each batch of the cement mortar as it is being prepared for use. It will take about 11/2 pailfuls to each 2 bag batch of mortar. It will be well for the plasterer to make some estimate as to the right amount of this to use in each batch, so as to have enough to use for the whole scratch-coat. This coat will require about 13 two-bag batches of mortar for 16x30 foot silo. Two good plasterers will be required, and four tenders, two to measure materials and mix the mortar, one to carry and elevate it to the proper platform, and the fourth to receive the mortar on the platform and place it on the mortar-boards. This last man should do all the moving and shifting work, so that the plas- terers may not be delayed at any time. Concrete Silos 115 Sometime during the process of applying the scratch coat, the space under the door should have been cased up inside and out and filled with mortar mixed in the proportion of 1 part of cement to 2% parts of sand. A strip of wood should be placed across the bot- tom so that the shoulder which is east at the side of the doors will be continued across the bottom of the door. When the scratch coat is all on, the door posts are to be filled. Since the 8-inch boards forming the in- side of the form have a tendency to spring back under the weight of the mortar, some provision must be made to hold these boards rigidly in place. This can easily be accomplished by firmly nailing short braces to the scaffold plank at each platform, the ends being braced solidly against the back of the form. If this work can be completed b}^ quitting time at night, or even by working overtime, the thin boards on the inside can be removed the next morning. Con- siderable care must be used in removing these boards, since the mortar will be rather green and easily in- jured. The placing of the remaining layers of plaster can now proceed with no further delay. The mixture for the second layer of plaster should consist of 1 part of cement to 2i/^ parts of sand, and should be applied in three coats, giving a total thick- ness, including the scratch-coat of at least 1% inches. In applying these coats, begin at the top and work down, one coat following the other as rapidly as pos- sible. An old broom should be kept on the scaffold, and the helper should rough up each coat as soon as it has wet sufficiently, so that succeeding coats will not be applied to the glossy surface left by the trowel. It 116 Concrete Silos is necessary at all times to keep water upon the scaffold, since many times the work will dry too rapidly and it will become necessary to sprinkle the wall before the next coat of plaster is applied. Before applying the last layer of plaster to the in- side, the inner part of the door form should be removed. With this form out of the way, the finish coat, consist- ing of equal parts of cement and screened sand, may be smoothly applied in such a manner as to leave the in- side surface flush with the face of the door post. The use of water is very important during the application of this coat. A force pump, preferably a pump run by a gasoline engine and a line of hose, is a great con- venience in keeping the walls thoroughly wet. The finish coat should be smoothed up neatly. When it has sufficiently set, one of the plasterers should mix up a wash of pure cement and give it what is commonly called a ^' slush coat." It should be the aim of the plasterer to finish this coat and have it set without the appearance of checks of any kind. This coat should extend down upon the foundation wall to the bottom of the silo. Under ordinary conditions, by the time the inside is finished, the wall, which is now 2 inches thick, has set sufficiently to permit the removal the outside stud- ding and parts of the door form still in place. The inside scaffold should be removed also; one should begin at the top and pass the material out through the door opening. The first step in taking down the tem- porary studding is to remove all the hooping material. When the foot is forced loose, the 2x4 may be pulled out straight from the silo until it is free except for the nail at the top. By pulling down on the stick, one may detach it from this nail and lay it on the ground. It Concrete Silos 117 is a good plan to determine the number of legs neces- sary for the outside scaffold before removing these studs. By leaving two of them at each point where the scaffold legs are to stand, - • J they can la- ^limi Hi ter be loos- BV^^VHRRlMm ^'^sl ened from ^^ f^^'^HWilB--- m 11 the w^all and mil _ '^"M- 1 li stood out at the proper ^^^lBiii%ii places, thus '--'• Bmb^K \m mm saving the la- ^'' WMmH M mi' bor of raising J8'{|fi£p' -*, 1 them from 1 VKp' 1 1 '-§' - the ground '; f P , ji ' \| again while i;;^f 1 -'^ ij building the ^,_!p^c^ ' ] t outside stag- ing. ^' 1 : - 1 Wl^^ 5 X. 1 mm. Before the plastering on the outside is Jinn 1 1 begun the ex- tra wire re- *■''■ ' R^ \m^ inforcement : ■ '^^99 I'l^^ should be put in place. ^_Js^^_ j il2f' i^^ This wire is Pouring the Door Posts. to be a t- tached to the wire loops which now lie flat on the out- side of the wall. The number of strands of wire to be placed at each loop is given ii a the table. These hoops 118 Concrete Silos of wire should be passed around the silo and attached to the loops on the opposite side. Continue this process until all hoops have })aiuls of wires attached to them. The lumber r:" ofJ'P/a/^k., JTT //etc tVi/v/tMAi/'x*- Z4&u / y iT '/Oto Sum' ^jiMsM /a/A Par/}/)M/ Tto ^ >/- Tfmarrar/ /x4' J/Mat^a S/wciTi/ > SVire re/nforcmaibJv f puf an af/o- rort/v/'- . a/y /'x^'S/t/Oifma /J /-emffya/ SILO WITH DUAIL OF CHUTL. used for the inside scaffold is to be used in building a scaffold on the outside, the 30- foot 2x4 's left in place being used for the legs of the scaffold. Care must be taken ^:hat the inside legs and the plank runway of this scaffold are at such a distance from the wall of the silo as will be convenient for the plasterers to work. The outside layer of plaster should be at least 1 inch in thickness and should be ap- plied in 2 coats, using one part of cement to 2i/2 parts of sand. The use of the darby on the last out- side coat will add to the appearance of the silo. A float finish gives a pleasing appearance to the outside. ^ VERTICAL SECTION OF WALL ^4/?au t ie X/!ff Surn ' fx/xiMlni/ Mf^/ P/as/a-ma la//i A^/n/ee/. Wire Mah/brceu HORIZONTAL SEHION CT WALL AT DOOZ Concrete Silos 119 The use of a wash coat of pure cement as a final finish will also greatly improve looks of the silo. The walls should be thoroughly wet before this coat is applied. The finished silo should be wet thoroughly once daily for at least a week after the jo^b is complete. The use of water is a very important factor in the securing of a good concrete job built above ground, since the constant tendency is for the material to dry before proper setting can take place. The same type of doors described for use in the solid-wall silo with continuous door opening can be used in this silo. In order to provide against freezing of silage in se- verely cold climates, a double-wall metal-lath silo has been developed, as illustrated herewith. The sill is made of 2-foot lengths of 2x4 's imbedded in r* the concrete foundation. The studding are 2x4 's spliced to the proper lengths . i'. as outlined for the temporary studding used in construct- ing the single wall metal lath silo. These Roof for Metal Lath Silo studding are set on the sill and are toe-nailed to it. On each side of the door opening are set two 2x4 's spiked together to form 4x4 's for the door frame. 120 Concrete Silos These are bolted together across the opening by % inch rods. A jamb for the doors to fit against is formed by sawing a 2x4 as outlined previously in this chapter. The plate at the top of the silo is made the same as for a single wall silo. After the frame has been completed metal lath is stapled to both the inside and outside of Concrete Silo for Walker Bros., Walkerville, Ont. Note the attractive appearance of permanent Concrete Silo (at left) compared with wood silo (at right) which is already showing signs of deterioration. (121) 122 Concrete Silos the studding, placed Avith the long dimension around the silo. In estimating the quantity of metal lath required for a double wall silo, the table given in this chapter can be used, remembering to use just twice the amounts. Silos are also made from the various special pat- ented types of metal lath now on the market. With some of these it is found to be possible to erect the silo without the use of the temporary studding previ- ously described. One such is the product known as Hy-Rib, made by the Trussed Concrete Steel Company, Youngstown, 0. This is a herringbone metal lath with deep corrugations or ribs pressed in it at regular intervals, these giving Hy-Rib Acts As a Form and Reinforcement for the Concrete. Note the temporary wood frame for metal sheets. If the wood frame-worlv is to be removed the sheets must be wired tog-ether. If 2x4-inch rafters are to be left the metal may be nailed lightly to them and the cross boards onlv removed. This is undoubtedly the quickest and cheapest method. Concrete Silos 123 it strength and stability. The type usually recom- mended for silos is made from 24 gauge metal, has the ribs 4 inches apart and 15/16 inch high, and comes in sheets 24 inches wide and 10 and 12 feet long. For silo work these sheets are curved at the mill to the de- sired radius. These sheets can either extend down into the foundation, as shown in the illustration, or can begin at the top of the foundation. In the latter case dowel pins are set in the foundation, and allowed to extend several inches above it, for attaching the first ring of Hy-Rib. The construction as shown in the illus- tration is recommended, however, carrying the metal down to the footings. It will be noted also that rib bars are used to give stability to the walls while being plastered. These are % inch ribs, wired to the metal sheets, and left in as a permanent part of the silo. Plaster is applied on both sides of the metal to a total thickness of 3 or 3I/2 inches. In this type of construction the builder may erect the metal to a height of 30 feet before beginning to plaster, or he may erect it in sections and plaster, as desired. After any plastering is done, however, it will require at least a half day to harden before any more metal is placed. The roof of a Hy-Rib concrete silo may be of a cone shape, a dome shape, or an octagonal hip, which are all constructed of Hy-Rib covered with 2 inches of con- crete, back-plastered underneath. The chute may be built in connection with the side walls using Hy-Rib of any desired size, thereby making the chute, side walls and roof of silo one complete unit with the foundation. A silo similar to the above is made by the use of Trusridge expanded metal, made by the Edwards Metal Structures Company, Kansas City, Mo. In this 124 Concrete Silos case, however, i/2-incli pipe is used for studs, to which the metal is wired. The pipes are furnished in 10 and 12-foot lengths, threaded for unions, and are held in place by a ring of angle iron which has holes punched in it for the pipes. This ring holds the pipes to a true circle. CHAPTER XV The Concrete Stave Silo The concrete stave silo is patterned after the wood stave silo, and has been developed in an attempt to introduce some of the elements of ease of erection and low cost of the wood silo, combining with them the features so desirable in concrete. These silos are built up of members resembling staves, and erected and held together in the same manner. It would manifestly be impossible, however, to make them in such lengths as are handled in wood, so that the length of the concrete staves is limited usually to 28 or 30 inches. They may be either made on the job, or shop-cast and moved to the place of erec- tion. In this latter case they can usually be cured under better conditions and there will not be the dan- ger of hurrying them into the structure before the proper curing has taken place. These staves are usu- ally poured of slush concrete in multiple steel molds. The staves are generally made in a width of about 10 inches and are cast flat. The usual thickness is about 21/2 inches. All types have some method of giv- ing the staves a vertical joint, and some of them also provide a horizontal joint where the ends of the staves come together. The joints are filled with mortar. To still further safeguard the structure against air and moisture, the inside may be plastered or given a wash coat of cement. In constructing the silo the staves are assembled with staggered joints, the first row of staves consist- ing of alternate full length and half length staves. (125) 126 Concrete Silos These silos are held together by out- side hoops, as is the ease with wood staves, the hoops be- ing placed eloser to- gether at the bottom to provide for the greater strain, the spacing being gradu- ally increased as the top is approached. Some of the com- mercial stave silo systems now on the market are described in the following pages. Many of these silos have been built on the foundations of old wood stave silos and are giving excellent satisfac- tion, a point which is worth while re- membering in pro- moting the sale of these silos. The foundation for the stave silo is made the same as for other types. Perfection Stave Silo on State Fair Grounds at Des Moines, la. Diameter 14 feet 4 inches ; height 44 feet 4 inches ; capacity 194 tons. Concrete Silos 127 Perfection Concrete Stave Silo. This system is controlled by the Perfection Concrete Stave Silo Com- pany, Des Moines, Iowa, and the outfit with which the staves are made is sold outright to manufacturers. These staves can be used for structures from 10 to 36 feet in diameter and up to 60 feet high. The staves are 28 inches long, 10 inches wide, 2% inches in thickness, and are made in steel forms with a wet mix, waterproofed and made impervious by the addition of 10 per cent of the weight of cement in hydrated lime. The staves are made concave on the edges and on the ends, and when they are assembled in the silo the space which is thus formed is filled with mortar. The company also manufactures for use on its silos a malleable iron door frame and an all-steel door with steel ladder combina- tion. The door sys- i' tem is continuous | from the foundation _^_ to roof, the frame f occupying a space of j* only 4 inches between doors. Each door opening is 23x25 in. In constructing the ^^^ perfection Silo steel Door in oiln nnp r»f fliA mallp- place; and showing- steel ladder sys- able iron door frames is placed upon a circular concrete foundation, and half staves (that is, 14 inches in length by 10 inches in width by 2% inches in thickness), are placed on the foundation, in the channel on either side of the malleable iron door frame; then a full length stave is 128 Concrete Silos stood up by the side of each half stave, and the circle is completed by alternate half and whole staves. Thereafter, whole staves are used until the top of the silo is reached, when half staves are used to fill out the top, alternately between the full staves. On completion of the first circle, two bands are placed around the circle, one 2 inches above the foun- dation and another half band is placed 14 inches above the foundation, and the end of the half band is placed in the lugs on either side of the door and turned up even with the end of the rod. As each course is erected and put into place, the concavity between staves is filled with mortar, con- sisting of 1 part cement, to 3 parts of screened sand, and the ends of the staves as they meet are also filled with mortar, so that when the silo is completed every joint is filled, thus preventing any escape of the silage juices or admission of air into the silo. Suitable collapsible staging is erected on the in- side of the silo as the walls are being extended upward. As soon as the silo walls are completed, a water- proofing composition is placed upon the inside wall by brush applications. In this system the contractor is supplied with steel molds sufficient to cast 200 staves or more a day. The supposition is that the contractor will haul his molds to the farm, or the place where the silo is to be "built, and that the owner will provide the materials ready for working. The contractor will then send two ex- perienced men to cast the staves. The manufacturers state that it will require 900 staves to build a silo 16 feet in diameter by 35 feet high, holding 150 tons of Concrete Silos 129 silage. The two men it is stated will cast these in 4% days. They are then left 4 or 5 days to cure before being erected. Playford Cement Stave Silo. This system is eon- trolled by the Cement Stave Silo Company, Des Moines, Iowa. These staves are made 30 inches long, 10 inches wide and 2^2 inches thick. One edge is concave and the other convex, so that the staves fit closely to- gether, no matter what the radius of the silo and the consequent curvature of the walls. In building a Play- Playford Silo With Door Spreaders and Chute. ford Silo the first row consists of alternate full and half length staves; thus the joints are broken the entire way up, and the last row finished with alter- nate full and half lengths. These silos when erected are held together with hoops of round steel joined with patent lugs. These hoops are put on as the silo 130 Concrete Silos goes up, so that the structure is held perfectly rigid at every stage of construction. Alternate hoops en- tirely encircle the silo, when the intermediate hoops fasten to door spreaders, these passing around the The riayford Cement Stave door openings and leaving them unobstructed. A combination sectional ladder and chute is also pro- vided. After erection the silo is treated with a special waterproof filler coating on the inside. Reinforced Stave Silo. This stave, which is con- trolled by the Playford Manufacturing Company of OPEltS roR poimti LOCK^ DOOR FRAr^£J REjr«(FORCItS&- Reinforced Stave Silo Elgin, Illinois, carries an outside vertical rib on one edge through which passes a i/4-inch twisted reinforc- ing bar. The thickness through the stave proper is Playford Cement Stave Silo. (131) 132 Concrete Silos 21/4 inches while the thickness through the rib is 4I/2 inches. The stave is 12 inches wide and 30 inches long. Each stave carries a lug on top with a correspond- ing recess in the bottom, forming a lock for the lateral joints. A concave and convex joint on the sides of Method of Assembling Reinforced Silo Staves the slabs is so designed that space is allowed for pointing up on the outside after the silo is erected. The silo is also given a cement wash on the inside, giv- ing it a double seal. The ribs on the outside of the staves carry prop- erly spaced depressions for receiving the hoops, so Reinforced Stave Silo (133) 134 Concrete Silos that the latter cannot slip out of place. The hoops, being held out from the face of the silo by the ribs, form a convenient ladder for climbing up the silo at any point. A continuous door system is provided for, special staves being made for the door opening which carry an offset against which the door can rest and also having recesses into which a casting can be slipped as a dividing plate between doors. This casting is held firmly in place automatically when both the up- per and low^er staves are in position. The doors are of wood, held in place by latches which are turned over the flange of the castings above and below. A galvanized iron roof is usually put on, with a chute either of that material or built up of the staves themselves. The staves are poured of a slush mixture in in- dividual molds of sheet steel and are allowed to re- main in the molds for 24 hours. Interlocking Cement Stave Silo. This system, con- trolled by the Interlocking Cement Stave Silo Com- pany, Des Moines, low^a, has as its most noticeable feature a bevel on the ends of each stave. This irregu- lar form of joint makes it possible for a single band passing around the joint to hold the ends of all staves — ^both those above and those below. Concave and convex edges also provide an additional interlock. The staves are 28 inches long, 10 inches wide and 2% inches thick. The company makes two types of equipment for the manufacturing of these staves, one of them adapted to the manufacture of small and inter- mittent lots of staves, and the other a larger outfit for making larger quantities. Both make identically the same design of product. ij Concrete Silos 135 The first mentioned is a hand mold, open at top and bottom and designed to rest on a pallet and be withdrawn after the concrete is tamped in and struck off; the other is a machine somewhat similar to a concrete block or brick machine, in which the operations are done more rap- idly by mechanical means. Both outfits are provided with means for making fractional staves as needed. A mold for casting a sec- tional concrete door frame is also a part of each outfit. This door frame is the same height as a stave, 28 inches, and 40 inches wide, taking the place of four staves ; it also is pro- vided with one concave and one convex edge to fit into adjoining staves. It thus can be used continuously or inter- mittently as desired. The door frame has an opening of 28x20 inches, with an offset to accommodate a wood door. Swan Stave System. This design of stave was orig- inated by the Swan C/oncrete Stave Silo Company, Cassopolis, Michigan. It is a dry tamp stave made in a simple form on wood pallets, the pallets being curved to the radius of the silo. The staves are dovetailed on the ends and each stave also luis a tongue on one side and top and a groove on the other side and the Interlocking- Cement Staves. 136 Concrete Silos bottom. The staves are 30 inches long, 10% inches wide, and 21/2 inches thick. Supreme Silo. The patent on this silo is held 'by J. A. Brod- erick, of Marshall- town, Iowa. It is built with either a single or double ^wan stave Silo wall, the former being recommended for warmer cli- mates and the latter for colder. The distinctive fea- A riant Manufacturing- Swan Staves ture of this system is a concrete band or rib which is cast around the silo after the sla'l)s are laid up, one of these being placed at each joint and serving to cover the reinforcing as well as cover the joint between the Concrete Silos 137 ends of the slabs. In order to accomplish this result the sla'bs are laid up with even lateral joints and stag- gered vertical joints, just the opposite of the general custom in stave construction. The concrete ribs, being carried completely around the structure, also form sills and lintels for the door frames where they cross the door openings. Everlasting Silo Staves. W. W. Rohrer & Son of Orrville, Ohio, have a system of silo stave manufacture to make staves 24 inches long, 10 inches wide and 3 inches thick. One vertical edge of each stave is con- cave and the other convex, making a perfect joint. Half length staves are used in starting the silo, so that joints are broken all the way up. The staves are held together with %-inch iron rods with patent knuckles. As each row of staves is placed in position the hoop is placed around and drawn up tight, each band passing around the middle of half the staves and the ends of the intermediate ones. It is claimed that a special mixture is used in mak- ing these staves, rendering them impervious to mois- ture and also acid proof. Panel Silos. These can perhaps best be included under the general heading of stave silos, although in this case the units run horizontally instead of ver- tically. This system is controlled by the Concrete Panel Silo Company of Kansas City, Missouri. It con- sists of poured concrete columns alternating with pre- cast concrete slabs. The slabs are 10 inches high, 24 inches long, and 3 inches tliick. In erecting the silo, the slabs are first laid up to a convenient height, with reinforcing rods in the hori- 138 Concrete Silos zontal mortar joints between courses. The ends of the slabs have an outside bevel, leaving a considerable out- side opening between the ends. Against this opening a steel form is erected and poured full of concrete, thus closing up the joint, and making a column to add to the stability of the structure. This column is reinforced with a %-inch vertical rod. Intermittent Diamond Stave Silo door openings are made by omitting three panels at suitable intervals in one tier. Diamond Concrete Stave Silo. This system is sold by the Diamond Concrete Stave Silo Company, Kan- sas City, Mo. These staves are diamond shaped, inter- locking with tongue and groove, and held together by either round rods or bands. They are 30 inches Concrete Silos 139 long, 11% inches wide at the middle and 6 inches at the ends. A notable feature of the staves is that they are thicker in the center than at the edges, the center thickness being 3 inches and at the edges 2% inches. This provision is made to give the finished silo an outside curvature, allowing the bands to fit more snugly instead of resting only on the edges of the staves. CHAPTER XVI CoNCKETE Block Silos The concrete block silo, if well made, has at least two advantages to recommend it: It is usually made of hollow blocks, thus providing an air space in the wall which will help to insulate the contents against frost and moisture; and if some care is taken in the design and construction, it can be given a more decora- tive appearance than is customary with the general run of farm structures. On the other hand there are certain precautions which must be taken in putting up this kind of a silo. Most of the silo block systems provide for a dry or semi-dry tamp block. With such a block it is of the utmost importance that the materials be properly se- lected, graded and mixed, and the manufacturing and curing be done in the most approved manner, else the block will not have sufficient density to make it mois- ture proof. It is worth while, therefore, to urge upon block manufacturers the extreme importance of put- ting the best quality of materials and workmanship into silo blocks; and also to urge upon owners that they give careful attention to the blocks they are get- ting, contracting for them only with manufacturers who have the best reputation. For the manufacture of silo blocks a clean, well graded sand should be used, and the mixture should be 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. The mix should be made as Avet as the molds will allow, and should preferably be cured by steam, taking care that the (140) Concrete Silos 141 blocks are not allowed to dry out before having the steam turned on them. Additional waterproofness can be secured, if necessary, by the addition of some good waterproofing substance to the concrete when it is made, or by the application of an inside or outside Two Decorative Silos of Ideal Blocks on the Barber Estate, Barberton, Ohio coating, or both. A coat of cement plaster on the inside will be conducive to this end, and will also have the advantage of giving the silo a smooth wall. In starting the construction of a concrete block silo, the excavation, floor and footings will be the same 142 Concrete Silos as for a monolithic silo. In starting the walls, however, some readjustment of the radius may be necessary in order to accommodate the construction to the size of units available. The length of silo blocks is not usu- ally changed for the various diameters, so that in order to make it possible to use only whole and half blocks, or such fractions as the machine will make, and thus avoid cutting, it will be well to lay out a test circle after the footings are in and see how closely the blocks conform to the desired size. The circle can then be made slightly larger or smaller to accommodate them. The cement mortar should consist of 1 sack of Portland cement to 2 cubic feet of clean sand, with the possible addition of a small quantity of hydrated lime (not over ten per cent), to make it easier to work. Before laying up the blocks, see that they are thor- oughly soaked which will prevent them from draw- ing moisture from the mortar. No more mortar should be mixed at one time than can be used up within 80 minutes after first moistening. Most blocks now made for silo work have some provision for continuous reinforcement; but if such provision is not made, reinforcing wire must be used between the courses of blocks. A table herewith gives the amounts of reinforcing necessary for block silos. The doors in a block silo are installed similarly to those in silos of other types. For intermittent doors, frames 6 inches wide of 2-inch lumber are placed at proper intervals in the 8-inch wall. This leaves a 2- inch recess on the inner surface of the wall in which will set the wooden door. Vertical steel rods are set in mortar in airtight spaces of the block next each side of the doors, and the horizontal reinforcing hooked around them. Sufficient extra rods are placed across Concrete Silos 143 Block Silo at Atlanta, in. the top and bottom of the door to equal the horizontal rods which are cut out by the door opening. For a continuous door, a vertical concrete frame is sometimes cast on each side of the door opening. In 5 V V*. V <♦- Q -^ -^ rv 10^ .^.^-^^' -\ -\ ro^ p^ „^.^-^^" .1^ vO^ vCO sto sC \flO nC (0 ^.^i^-^ ^,^:?:fc? (5 r <5 O \^ <^ ^ ^ -^ -^ IT (0^ ;> ^ 1 1 in n ro^ fV rv f 00 c^ (i) O ^ 00 (v^ ^ (0 0^ (\ ty ry to 1 1 1 1 cD -^ (Q - t\ 0^ cy ^ o "^ ^ 1^ T ^ "T till cv^ Cfl o -^ to n sr T c^ ^) to *0 <5 ! 1 1 (0 H ^ (144) Concrete Silos 145 this frame are embedded the vertical rods, to which all the horizontal rods are hooked, in a manner simi- lar to that described for monolithic silos. At other times angle irons or U-bars are used for frames, or special iron shapes, with offsets for doors are used. A wooden or metal chute can be fastened to the walls or one can be built of blocks at the same time as the walls. The roof of a block silo can be made either of wood or of concrete. When of concrete, the method of pro- cedure is the same as that specified for solid wall silos, except that the temporary roof rafters rest on the wall, and the eaves are formed by a special block which gives the necessary overhang. Below are given brief descriptions of a number of the systems of silo block construction now available. Hurst System. This system is marketed hy the Hurst Silo Equipment Company of Chicago. The unit of construction is a solid block 23% inches long, 11% inches high, and 4 inches thick. Each block is reinforced with two %-inch round rods, the ends of these rods projecting into recesses at the end of each block and being bent into a hook to receive a steel link. When the blocks are laid up in the wall, the ends of rods in adjoining blocks are thus brought to- gether, and after the link is slipped over them the ends are bent back by means of a tool supplied for the pur- pose. This makes the reinforcing continuous around the structure, and the process of bending up the rods serves to bring the steel into tension and thus resist the pressure of the silage when the silo is filled. The recesses which hold the links are afterwards filled with mortar, as well as the V-shaped joint between the blocks on their inside surface. m m <4-l o 0) .2 ^ m ^ c^ cp (^ <;a h 1^ (D - "^ j>- h- (D © NO f; X N O O (^ _ ^ — r- n n h 1^ •O (0 - '^ 0< N ^ QO flO S) -. ^< to 10 ^ ^ 'o to c> +• 41 11. o X ^ C5 O 19 W^ ^ c^ cj) 00 c^ CO ^5 cs N ^ qO t r^ h 00 00 03 cy< (>< o< (D 5^ CO c^ cs V f^ to N n to to (D f^ N C5 00 ^ C3 "vf ci) N 00 (J) i! o J. -Do 1" rf ^ C) - u \n "T r< c< c< c^ 10 ^ <0 - n fo h ^ »0 CO N •0 f) li. CO I 00 - 't N (^ iTi 10 (9 r) ^ c* ^ CP CJ Cj h ^ N 00 00 r- «0. ^ 1 ^ ^ (0 r- 00 ^ <0 ^ 50 51^K - W bo 't to ^ >0 Cfl to ^ •<> cv (X ^< 0( lo t5 N aO s' 00 (^ s CO Jo »o *<) ^ w CO to fx: Ci) (p <5 h ^i- lo fo t^ 10 10 K7 "t vo C5 N o< rx cv oe 00 k) C< c< 00 «) 1- u I c^ 'T (0 ^ ^ 1- T CO <0 "O «C) C5 ^ 00 ^ C5 C5 Ci) N in n r< n "0 flo CV/ 00 <^ <<^ ^ ^t <0 ^s 10 lo to to _ 0) 1^ CD <30 to ^ ■" — +• V li. g X - Tj- N •O !0 «0 ^ O N (5 10 t to o - K^ r< - S T - 00 — CV M fO i '6 u •a f o IP I c<^ 10 o t ^i) 'O • ro K) fo t '^ ^ Q CO t ^ ^ ^ cy t ^ V) 10 lO ^0 000 (146) Concrete Silos 147 These blocks are cast in steel molds, each niohl making ten blocks at one operation. A reference to the illustration here shown will give a very good idea of the assembling of the mold. Each mold consists of two sides, two sets of division plates, clamps for lock- ing molds, and core covers. The sides of the mold are of pressed steel, fitted w^ith hollow pressed steel cores. Method of Laying- up Hurst Blocks which form the recesses at the ends of the blocks and which also hold the reinforcing rods in place while the blocks are poured. The division plates are of i/g-inch rolled steel, 24 inches long and the height of the block. These division plates are curved to conform to the diameter of the silo and can be furnished for any size. Short division plates are also supplied for mak- ing sectional blocks for '^ fillers." Two sets of stand ard division plates are furnished with each mold, S{ that it can be filled twice daily, making twenty blockf 148 Concrete Silos A special bender for making the rods and links is included in the outfit if desired, or these will be fur- nished by the company to those who do not care to prepare their own. A bender can also be secured for changing dividing plates from one radius to another. Iron or steel door frames are either secured from the company, or a pattern only is bought, allowing the contractor to have his frames made at the nearest foundry. All frames are curved to a radius of 8 feet, in order to avoid multiplication of parts, as the dif- 4 sms/?mmL£ soon Arm r/Ltm B. CMT/ CORES & RE/NmCEM£NT SUPP0R7. B C RE//fEORCm ROD W POSITION D SLOT COi^ER E CURVED STEEL ftiRTIT/ON. F ADJUSTABLE CLAM/V Hurst Silo Block Mold ference of curvature is scarcely noticeable in the width of a door when this frame is used on other sizes. The frame provides a beveled rabbet for a wood door, and carries loops to connect with the reinforcing rods of the adjoining blocks. Steps are bolted to the doors, or ladder steps of steel with ends flattened are embedded in the mortar between the courses of blocks. If a chute is desired, %x5-inch bolts are inserted in every third mortar joint on either side of the door frames, beginning 8 feet from the ground. Similar Concrete Silos 149 bolts also extend upward every 4 feet in the joints of the top course of blocks, to anchor the roof, which may be of any type. Dove-tail Silo Block. The Lansing Company, Lan- sing, Mich., manufacture what is called the Dove-tail silo block ma- *^ chine. This ma- chine makes a hollow silo block with clove-tail openings at each end. "Where these openings come together, they fit Dove-tall Silo Block. over a small countersunk hole in the middle of the block below. The dove-tail opening is filled with soft mortar which finds its way into the countersunk hole and binds the blocks together both horizontally and vertically. A small groove is also provided in the top of each block for the purpose of laying in reinforcing wire. The machine consists of a base and a flask or mould. The mould consists of a front and back plate, two end plates, center cores, dove-tail end cores, extra face plate for half size blocks, and dividing plate. The two end plates fit into lugs in the front plate and the back plate is held in position by two end levers. The mould is of the self-truing type and will produce blocks of an attractive design. It is furnished in 12, 14, 16 and 18-foot diameters. Each size of block can also be used for a silo of a diameter 2 feet larger than the stated size. It is equipped for either 9 or 10-inch blocks, 16 inches long, 8 inches high. The 150 Concrete Silos regular equipment consists of rock face design, but the manufacturers also furnish a plain design. Ideal System. The Ideal Concrete Machinery Com- pany, Cincinnati, Ohio, supplies molds for silo blocks ^ . B??^ Method of Constructing- Ideal Silos Concrete Silos 151 in the standard 8x8x16 inch size in practically all the faces designed by this company for straight building blocks. These silo attachments can be set on the standard Ideal block machine base outfit, and the silo blocks are cast with two 4x6 inch core openings the same as the building blocks. Attachments are pro- vided for making blocks on a 5, 7 or 9-foot radius. As each block is cast, a piece of half round iron makes a groove in the top, about 1 inch from the out- side face, this groove accommodating the reinforcing ring when the blocks are laid up. These rings are fastened at the ends to the door frames as shown in the illustration ; or if the builder has at hand the proper dies for cutting threads, he can thread the ends of each ring and draw the ring to the proper tension with a nut. The door frames consist of U-bars for uprights con- nected at 3-foot intervals by 4-inch I-beams. The uprights are set just the thickness of the door from the inner face of the block, so that when the door is in place the inte- rior will present a smooth surface. It is recommended that the ciimax Blocks inside of the silo be plastered with cement mortar, ap- plied preferably with a trowel, and then going over the entire surface with a stiff brush and cement grout. 152 Concrete Silos Climax Silo Blocks. The equipment for making these blocks is furnished by the Climax Manufactur- ing Company, Anderson, Indiana. The blocks are 20 inches long, 10 inches high, and 4 inches thick. Each block carries lugs on the underside and recessed groove on the upper side, holding the blocks in perfect posi- tion when they are placed together. The blocks them- selves are reinforced with any wire available, and a No. 9 wire is also used in the grooves as the blocks are laid up. Kenny System. The Kenny concrete blocks are made with a groove in the top for receiv- ing the reinforcing rod, which is contin- ued in one piece around the entire silo, locking it over a key block, as shoAvn in the accompanying cut. The vertical grooves in the ends of the V^'i^es Locked over Key Block blocks form an opening 2 inches in diameter between the blocks when laid in the wall ; this opening is filled with cement mortar. The blocks are made on a double machine, turning out two blocks at one operation, and are 24 inches long, 8 inches high, and 4 inches thick. Anchor Silo Blocks. This block makes a double wall, with a continuous air space. It is controlled by the Anchor Concrete Stone Company, Rock Rapids, Iowa. Each block is made in two separate sections. Concrete Silos 153 bound together with four 14-inch galvanized iron rods, 8 inches long and turned 1 inch at each end. The Standard Anchor machine makes a block 8x8x 24 inches, while the Junior Anchor ma- chine makes a block 8x8x16 inches. Each machine makes blocks to fit any de- sired radius of silo. This is accomplished by having the mold box equipped witli inside steel plates which can be ad- justed by set screws to the desired curve. The interior section of the block is cast with a groove in the top in which rein- forcing can be placed Anchor Blocks Laid Up in WaU Keystone Cement Slab Silo. This system is con- trolled by the Minnesota Keystone Silo Company, Min- neapolis, Minn. The blocks or slabs used in a Key- stone silo have a special design, the ends being wider by 3 inches than the center of the slab. This, in addi- tion to the tongue-and-groove edges, makes of each block a key which securely locks the adjoining slabs. The slabs or blocks are 24 inches long, 3 inches thick. 154 Concrete Silos 16 inches wide at the center and 13 inches at the mid- dle. Each block is reinforced with two %-inch steel rods, each end of each rod projecting into a small cavity. When the blocks are laid up these ends are connected and brought to tension by a special tool. The cavity is then filled with concrete. Millers' Sectional Interlocking Block Silo. This system is controlled by the Goshen Concrete Tile Manufacturing Company, Goshen, Indiana. The blocks in this system are solid blocks made of slush concrete interlocking at all edges. A double rod of 5-16-inch iron through each block y^^ makes the reinforcing and forms an eye at the end of each block. The blocks are fas- tened together by means of a staple passing through these eyes, the open spaces around the eyes and staples then being filled with mortar. The door frame used in connection with these blocks is constructed of chan- nel iron. On the side of the door jamb toward the block, there are eyes every 12 inches to correspond with the eyes on the block, so the door frame and blocks are locked together by means of staples and spaces filled with mortar, making joints same as between the blocks themselves. Perfect Cement Blocks. This is made on the per- fect cement block machine, manufactured by J. J. Coyne, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. This machine makes Miller's Interlocking Block Concrete Silos 155 a hollow block of two types, the two parts in the block being connected either by a web of concrete or by steel spacers. The blocks are made 8 inches high, 9 inches thick and 24 inches long, with 2V2-inch air space. The blocks interlock in both directions and have a groove on top for reinforcement. J. J. Coyne's Perfect Blocks Perfect Reinforced Block. This system is the prod- uct of the Perfect Reinforced Cement Silo and Cis- tern Company, Delaware, Ohio. The Perfect Silo is built with blocks 2 feet long, 1 foot high and 4 inches thick. Each block is reinforced with two iron rods run- ning lengthwise of the block, 6 inches apart. Each rod is looped or turned 6 inches from the end. These loops in the rods coincide with the holes that are formed edgewise through the block, 1 inch in diame- ter and 6 inches from either end. In laying the blocks these 1-inch openings are filled with cement grout and the rod or dowel pin is pressed through the soft cement, connecting the two blocks. Each pin is in- serted in such a way that it passes entirely through one block and half way through the block above and the one below. By this arrangement of loops and dowel pins, inserted in the holes through the blocks, and the use of half blocks, joints are broken in the same way as when an ordinary brick wall is laid. This provides for a continuous lateral reinforcement around the silo every 6 inches, and the dowel pins that run through the blocks from the bottom to the top of the 156 Concrete Silos silo form a vertical reinforcement every foot. A strip of netting composed of 7 longitudinal and 12 vertical steel wires, imbedded in the block just beneath the outer surface, is designed to prevent any liability of cracking of the face of the block. To unite the blocks and to overcome the outward pressure or thrust, a 2-ply twisted steel cable of No. 8 wire is laid outside the dowel pins between each course of blocks, in grooves provided in the edge of the blocks for that purpose, and imbedded in the mortar in which they are laid. The ends of these cables are looped about a continuous gas pipe, which extends from the top to the bottom of the structure, through the blocks each side of the doorway, in place of dowel pins. This same gas pipe also passes through holes in the ends of the ladder rounds. Zagelmeyer System. This method of making silo blocks is the invention of the Zagelmeyer Cast Stone Block Company of Bay City, Mich., and is identical with the system used by this company for making building blocks, except that the silo blocks are made to fit the curve of the silo instead of being straight. The molds, which are of sheet steel, are assembled in multiple form on roller bearing trucks, each truck car- rying molds for thirty silo blocks. The truck is then carried under the discharge end of the mixer and filled with slush concrete. Each block carries two air spaces, and has a depres- sion in the top for carrying a continuous circle of rein- forcing around the silo. Molds are made in both rock face and plain. The blocks can if desired be given a granite or other orna- mental face, similar to the Zagelmeyer building blocks. CHAPTER XVII Doorways, Doors, Roofs, Etc. These topics have been dealt with in connection with some of the systems treated, so that in this chapter it is scarcely necessary to do more than take up some general features of these parts of the silo. Doorways. Doorways are of two types, known as intermittent and continuous. These doorways are both good, and it is a matter of individual preference as to the one to select, although the separate openings are preferred by a great many silo users. These openings are usually 2 feet wide and 3 feet high, and are spaced about 3 or 4 feet apart. This type of doorway makes a stronger wall, but more difficulty is experienced in removing the silage for feeding than with the con- tinuous door. An easily constructed intermittent door form for a solid concrete wall silo is suggested by the Association of Portland Cement Manufacturers as shown in the illustration. Make a frame of 2x6 inch lumber as shown. Then prepare a second frame of 2x2 pieces, and nail it around the first. This will provide an offset or jamb of 2 inches in the concrete, to receive the door from the inside. This form should be made so that it will fit closely between the inside and outside wall forms. The method of constructing a form for a continuous door opening is similar to the one for separate open- ings. Two pieces of lumber 2x6 inches are cut 5 feet long. Two holes are then bored through each piece. (157) 158 Concrete Silos These holes are 2 feet apart and 2 inches from the edge. The pieces are then ripped through the holes. A piece of 2x2 inch lumber, beveled, is then nailed to the 4-inch piece thus made. Cleats are nailed across the two pieces which were cut. These cleats are to hold cross-strips between the two uprights, for the purpose of keeping the door forms the right distance apart. 2x2' Form for Intermittent Doorway. When setting the form into the molds, the ladder or door rods are placed in the holes of the door form. This method of door-jamh construction has been in use for eight or ten years, and has been found satisfactory. The method of reinforcing across both types of door openings is also shown herewith. Doors. The doors for the continuous doorway may be made of 2-inch planking, preferably tongue-and- grooved. The doors should be 34 inches in width and 30 inches in height. Five pieces of planking 6 inches wide, or 4 pieces 8 inches wide may be used con- veniently. A %-inch hole is drilled on the vertical Concrete Silos 159 center line of each plank to accommodate the bolt and hook by which the door is held to the horizontal rein- forcing across the door opening. The bolts used have a screw eye on the outer side to which hangs a hook made of heavy steel wire. Non-continuous doors are perhaps easier to build than continuous doorw^ays, and if the owners are satis- fied that they provide sufficient room for getting the Method of Fastening Reinforcing- When Silo Is Built With Continuous Door Opening. silage out conveniently, there is no objection to their use, although on the other hand, they possess no great advantage over doors of the continuous type. The arguments often heard that the non-continuous door silo is a stronger type than the other, and vice versa, 160 Concrete Silos carry little weight, as either type may be made suffi- ciently strong. Non-continuous doors are often put in with a dis- tance of about 21/2 feet between them, but the spacing may vary to suit the individual owner. In all cases the arches between the doors must contain an amount ySp/ice /f verf/'ccf/ \ reinforaement ^ "H J Open/ng Door-, -rF ^= '-^'^ '(IP) Splice in horizo/i^o( re /r7/'hrcerr7e^ 30- ^r^ :^ ^^-^ 4=^ 444= Method of Reinforcing- Around Intermittent Door Openings. of reinforcing equivalent to the full amount of hori- zontal reinforcing put around the silo. Thus, if the doors are 3 feet in height, with a distance of 2l^ feet between them, the horizontal reinforcing in the space Concrete Silos 161 between the doors should be equivalent in amount to that placed in 5I/2 feet of the wall where there are no doors. The doors may best be made of two thicknesses of lx6-inch matched flooring with a layer of tar paper between. The lx6-inch boards are held together by two lx4-inch cleats across the top and bottom, and one 2x4-inch cleat across the center. The middle cleat is made larger than the others in order to take care of the strain caused by the large bolt in the center. A 2x4, 40 inches long, or a similar piece of material, is placed on the bolt, making a large ''button" by which the door is held to the wall. The Roof. Perhaps the greatest advantage of a roof is the lessened liability of the silage freezing. Not only is it impossible to prevent freezing in severe weather unless the silo is provided with a roof, but during snowy or rainy weather the silage is mixed with snow or wet down with rain. Furthermore, a silo without a roof becomes a catching place for husks, dust or anything carried in the wind and a favorite feeding ground for the neighborhood pigeons and birds. Although many silos are not provided with roofs and the live stock eagerly eat the silage from them, it is evident that a roof would not only reduce the amount of frozen silage, actually save silage and preserve its quality, but be worth its cost in making a more pleasant place to feed from in bad weather. The roof is also valuable in protecting and strengthening the silo and in adding to its appearance. A door for filling, large enough to admit the carrier or elevator from the ensilage cutter, should be placed in the roof. A simple trap door may be used for this pur- 162 Concrete Silos pose, but a dormer window with glass is preferable. Some light should be admitted to the silo for if not it will be necessary to use a lantern when removing the silage. The pitch of the silo roof may vary from one- quarter to one-half. The steeper roof permits the silo to be filled above the top of the wall so as to be nearly full after settling. A flat roof does not permit the silage to be elevated to a point high enough to do this, does not give the workman room for work during filling, and does not shed the snow like a steeper roof. While roofs of various types are used with concrete silos, it is most desirable that the roof be of concrete, thus making this part of the silo as durable as any other. In some systems, special roof forms are provided ; but where there are not obtainable a concrete roof can be laid 4 inches thick over a temporary wooden form, which will be left in place two or three weeks. The concrete should be reinforced with steel rods %-inch in diameter. Some of the rods are laid like the spokes of a wheel, 1-inch from the under side of the roof. At the eaves the rods are 18 inches apart; but every other rod runs only half-w^ay to the peak, where it is tied to a horizontal ring extending entirely around the roof. There are four of these horizontal rings equally spaced from the eaves to the center of the roof. Where the straight or radial rods meet at the peak they should be hooked and securely tied together. In the eaves an additional ring is placed, around which are hooked the outer ends of the straight rods. Eaves on a concrete roof are not absolutely neces- sary, but add much to the appearance of the silo. Concrete Silos 163 Jt is of pure Iron Roof. An iron roof for silos is made by the ( '. C. Fonts Company, Middletown, Ohio. Tliis roof is made in sections readily bolted together iron, 20 to 24 gange, and is equipped with a large trap door for filling. This door fits over a raised rim in the roof, making it weatherproof. These roofs are made with a ventila- tor and a heavy wired glass at the top, admitting sufficient light to light up the interior of the silo. One advantage of this kind of a roof is that sections of it can be left off while the silo is being filled. This will allow of the silo being filled to its full capac- ity, while the settling of the silage will be sufficient to give working room when it is de- sired to begin feeding from the silo. Winner Extension Silo Rcof. The special feature of this roof, which is made by the Silo Specialty Manu- facturing Company at Clinton, Iowa, is that it allows the user to utilize the entire space of the silo. That is, the roof opens outward from the peak, so that the silo can be filled above the height of the walls. As the silage settles the roof is closed, giving the contents of the silo complete protection against the elements. Winner Silo Hoof 164 Concrete Silos The method of operation of this roof is well shown in the illustration. It has a metal roof consisting of separate segments which are hinged at the bottom and can be opened until they stand vertical. When they are opened for filling the silo the spaces between the seg- ments are protected by wire mesh. Buckeye Silo Roof. This is a sheet metal roof, made in gambrel design with dormer window. It is made by the Thomas & Armstrong Company, London, Ohio. The same company also makes all-steel silo doors, and other silo equipment. Air-Tight All. Steel Door Frame. This is a continu- ous door manufactured by the Silo Specialty Manufac- turing Company at Clinton, Iowa. This is an inflexible, unbreakable, steel door frame, requiring no packing to make a tight door. CHAPTER XVIII How TO Inckease the Silo Business. A firm of contractors and supply dealers in Sioux City, Iowa, have adopted a novel method of promot- ing the silo end of the business by erecting a sample silo on their grounds and utilizing the lower part of it for office purposes. This company is fortunately situated at the stock yards, within 75 feet of the Live Stock National Bank, so that the silo is just where it will catch the attention of the men it is desired to reach. It carries a conspicuous sign, calling attention to the fact that the structure is for inspection and that the office is inside. Leaflets are also sent out among the farmers in the territory telling them of this exhibition silo and showing illustrations of it and also of silos which the company has constructed on farms in the vicinity. The sample silo has at least two advantages as an advertising asset. There is no doubt but many farm- ers will be attracted by it and will step in ''just to look around" out of curiosity. If the sales work is what it should be, a fair proportion of these will ulti- mately buy. The prospective customer is thus brought right to the office instead of making it necessary to go out after him, and any salesman knows what this means, both in the saving of time and the advantage of having the man on your own ground and with a confessed interest in what you have to sell. There will be still other men who know that they want a silo and would come to the office whether there (165) 166 Concrete Silos were a sample on exhibition or not. The advantage of- fered by the sample silo in dealing with these men is that the deal can be closed up much more promptly, avoiding the necessity of spending time and expense money to take the prospect out to see some of the silos on surrounding farms. By getting a man right in the office the system of con- struction can also be demon- strated, arousing the interest of the farmer in the simplic- ity of the equipment, the de- vice by which the walls are kept true to line, etc. A small section of the well can also be cut away, if desired, exposing the reinforcement and revealing the stability of construction and the hard and enduring: nature of the material. Silo Inspection Trip Conducted by a Cement Company. Concrete Silos 167 While a sample silo of this kind costs a little money, where a favorable location can be secured it would seem to be a very valuable advertising asset ; and espe- cially would this be true in thinly populaj:ed districts, where a contractor, located in a central market town, can bring to his office men whom he would otherwise have to go many miles to reach. Sample silos of a permanent nature are located on the grounds of many of the state fairs, while tempo- rary sample sections are frequently put on display at various expositions. These are usually put up by the promoters of the various systems of construction, and they serve the double purpose of stimulating a demand for silos and of reaching contractors and interesting them in this class of construction. Some of the more progressive manufacturers have well devised campaigns which are put into effect for the benefit of contractors who buy their outfits. In addition to furnishing him with suitable printed mat- ter, albums of photographs, etc., each contractor is requested to send in to the company the names of farm- ers in his locality who should own silos — not a miscel- laneous list of names, but a list which is carefully se- lected and not too large to have devoted to it some personal work on the part of the contractor himself. To these people the manufacturer sends out a letter setting forth the advantages of concrete silos in a brief way and calling attention to the fact that the local contractor is now prepared to build such a silo for them. These letters are followed up at suitable inter- vals by letters sent out by the contractor, but the copy for which is supplied by the manufacturer ; and in the mean time it is expected that the contractor is doing more or less personal work with these people, at least 168 Concrete Silos to the extent of taking advantage of casual meetings when they are in town if he does not get out to see them at their own homes. Photographs are won- derfully helpful. In addi- tion to the albums sent out with an outfit, some man- ufacturers stimulate busi- ness for their customers by sending out additional photographs from time to time. These may be of new silos just completed, especially if there is any unusual feature about the silo or if it is for some person of prominence ; or they may show how smxc/rrsmmsraomsm .J MO ORE X Sample Silo and Office at Sioux City, Iowa. Concrete Silos 169 Crete silo has successfully withstood a recent fire, tor- nado or earthquake. The contractor can also assist in this part of the work by having photographs made of the silos which he erects and using them in his own local work as well as sup- plying them to the manufacturer for the betterment of the in- dustry as a whole. Some silo builders have secured permis- sion from their cus- tomers to place at the entrance to the farm a neat sign bearing an inscrijDtion some- thing like this: The Concrete Silo On This Farm Was Built by the Company. Drive in and Examine It. In most localities the principal opposi- tion to be combated is from the wood silo. For the representa- tive of this type is Silo on Ulinois State Fair Grounds. more frequent and more persistent than any other, and he is in fact the only silo salesman whom many a 170 Concrete Silos farmer sees. This is because the wood silo is a factory product, capable of being shipped out ** ready made" under the supposition that the farmer can put it up himself, thus lending itself readily to the building up of a large sales organization. These agents who are sent out over the country know that their main business is to get orders, and an important part of their equip- ment for so doing is a handful of misinformation about concrete as a silo building material. But with no knowledge to the contrary, a farmer is perhaps not to be blamed if he believes the man who assures him positively that the acids in silage will eat out a concrete silo in two or three years. It is necessary that this propaganda be combated, and the authoritative statements Avhich have been given out by so many of the agricultural schools of the country should be given wide publicity, as they will go a long way toward forming in the mind of the user of silos a saner and more correct view of the situation. State- ments of this nature can well be included in some of the printed matter sent out by contractors to develop the silo business; and editors of newspapers should be pre- vailed upon to print matter pertaining to silos from time to time. . It is generally conceded that advertising in local newspapers on the part of contractors will form a valu- able adjunct to other forms of development work. If this advertising can be given a local turn at times, such as printing illustrations of silos which have been built in the neighborhood, or letters of recommendation from local men who are pleased with their silos, this adver- tising will have a double value. A farmer can often be interested in concrete silos by having pointed out to him the fact that most of Concrete Silos 171 the materials can very likely be found right on his own farm and that he will be the gainer to that ex- tent. One Iowa contractor has taken a somewhat novel way to emphasize this point. He says in his adver- tising : If you have sand and gravel on your own farm or nearly, tve will buy it from you. This representation to the farmer that he is going to get some of his money back immediately will prob- tanh' I Exhibition Silo at Texas State Fair. 172 Concrete Silos ably be more convincing than would a mere statement of the saving effected by the use of materials from his farm. A considerable amount of promotion work on all kinds of silos can be carried on during the winter, when the farmer is not so busy and is looking ahead to the improvement of his farm. The farmer as a class usually looks farther ahead than any other man. Of course, there are farmers who live from hand to mouth, as the saying is, just the same as can be found in any other calling; but for the most part you will find among well-to-do farmers more accurately detailed plans for the future than among almost any other men that one might name. The very nature of their occupation leads them to plan that way. Practically nothing that a farmer does comes to frui- tion until a considerable time after it is started. In this sense he is always working for the future. His grain is planted in the spring and harvested in the fall; the kind of stock that he will raise is made the subject of serious study sometimes years ahead; the products of his farm must be stored away at certain seasons for future use ; and his bank account, which is swelled at periods of the year when products are being sold, must be conserved to provide for the times when there will be no income. It is perhaps for some of these reasons that con- crete products manufacturers have found the farmer market a most satisfactory and profitable one. It might be mentioned also that the farmer is a good ad- vertiser. He delights to make every business transac- tion the subject of conversation. Where the city busi- ness maQ will buy a thing in a hurry and promptly Concrete Silos 173 forget about it, the farmer will buy slowly and only after much discussion, and once having bought he will talk about his purchase for some time afterward. Sell him what he believes to be a good product and the chances are that you will soon get other orders from the same neighborhood; but if he believes that you have not treated him right, it will be very difficult to sell to any of his neighbors for some time to come. In some localities the manufacturers of concrete silo blocks and staves have discovered that they can keep business going at a fairly brisk pace throughout the winter by showing the farmers the advantage of hauling these things in the winter time. In fact, it seems to have been the farmers themselves who first discovered the advantages of such a system; but the products men have not been slow to take advantage of it in a number of instances. In one Wisconsin town a block manufacturer was asked a quotation on a certain bill of silo blocks, in the middle of winter. "They will cost you 16 cents apiece," said the manufacturer. ''All right, I am satisfied," said the farmer; ''I'll take .the first load of them out with me today. ' ' The block man was alive to the advantage of quick sales, but he, at the same time, did not want to rush his product out without sufficient time to cure, so he said: "Those blocks are only eight days old. You had better leave them here for a couple of weeks longer and let them cure. If you take them now it is pretty sure there will be a number of them broken when you get them home." 174 Concrete Silos ' ' There is no time like the present, ' ' was the reply of the farmer, or words to that effeet. ''Today the weather is tine, the roads are smooth and well packed down, and I can carry just as many blocks as I can pile onto my sled. In two wrecks there may be a thaw, or snowdrifts, or a spell of stinging cold, or a run of sickness in the family. I would rather take them now and stand the breakage myself. After I get them home they can cure just as well in my yard as yours." And so the blocks were taken out immediately. Not many blocks were broken, but such as they were the loss was willingly borne by the farmer, for he had done the hauling in time which would otherwise have been almost a total loss, over good snow roads, doing the hauling with a sled, which is much easier to load and easier to haul than a wagon, and the blocks were on hand ready to begin work as soon as the first robin appeared. From the standpoint of the block manufacturer, too, the transaction was a most satisfactory one. It helped him to keep his plant running during the cold season without unduly crowding the yard; it helped to distribute his yard labor over a longer period, and as the farmer had the money in the bank from the sale of his fall crops, and was glad to take advantage of a small discount, it helped the manufacturer to keep up the financial end of his business. \ THE PERFECTION CONCRETE STAVE SILO PERFECTION CONCRETE STAVE SILO COMPANY 516 CLAPP BUILDING. PES MOINES. IO WA. There is only one way to 4 :b,. manufacture concrete, and -^ that is by the "Wet-Mix" - ^"^ process. Our Perfection Con- crete Stave Silo Stave is made by the "Wet-Mix" process; the staves are cast in moulds with an aggregate of one of cement, two of sand, and three of gravel or crushed rock, and when cured, pro- duce a strong, non-porous product and present a hand- some appearance. Our "all steel" large door system appeals to the farmer and silo users. We sell our moulds outright; we make no charge for royalties; there is no "blue sky" or exclusive ter- ritory connected with our proposition. You pay for what you get. In another part of this book is a com- plete description of our silo. CONCRETE WORKERS Get into the silo business. It furnishes splendid profits; it is a growing business. The silos you erect this year will be for many, many years to come "silent salesmen" for you. When you go into the concrete stave silo business, get the best. Get a system that permits making the staves by the "wet process"; that permits mortar to be placed between the joints of every stave; that will give you a malleable door frame with an all steel door and steel ladder combination; a silo without a word of criticism and easy to erect, and with splendid profits to the contractor. Write us for information, and we will gladly send you our literature. Excellent terms of payment to responsible people. The Polk System OF Concrete Silo Construction (MONOLITHIC) PATENTED OCTOBER 23. 1906 PATENTED DECEMBER 29, 1908 Polk Genung Polk Co., Inc., Fort Branch, Ind. INVENTORS AND MANUFACTURERS ODDOrtunitV Eventually concrete will displace all other '^^ ^ material used in silo, water tank, and grain storage construction. Agricultural schools and experiment stations, bankers and insurance companies are backing concrete silo building. They are backing the POLK SYSTEM because it renders a distinct service in silo construction. Farmers have become prejudiced in favor of concrete silos because of their ultimate cheapness and of the lasting service they render. In the field of silo construction lies the greatest opportunity of the American contractor today. The contractor who is equipped with a POLK SYSTEIM machine and POLK SYSTEM methods can fully guarantee any building he erects. He has the assurance of a big, successful experience behind him. He knows that his work will please far beyond expectation. Facilities ^^'^^ ^^^^^' polk SYSTEIM factory with its modern equipment enables us easily and eco- nomically to manufacture machines with every single excellence that years of experience have proved desirable. Not a single expense has been spared that will help to lower the cost of producing POLK SYSTEM machines and equipment and still maintain the high POLK SYSTEM standard of quality. We are putting on the market today the most thoroughly designed and the most durable machine that can be made for the erection of monolithic concrete silos. Polk System Silos Are Not Built of Pieces THE POLK SYSTEM MACHINE and They Cannot Go To Pieces THE POLK SYSTEM MACHINE Description '^'^^^ polk system is in reality a com- pletely detailed plan for all kinds of cir- cular monolithic concrete construction. It specifies mix- tures and proportions, it keeps the contractor al)reast with the times, it reduces construction costs and insures a definite progress each day, and it makes provision for the safety of laborers. More than all of these, it insures to the farmer a flawless structure which will keep his silage secure against every known foe of good silage. The POLK SYSTEM is much more than a mere machine. Machine ^^^^ polk system machine is an all steel equipment for the erection of circular mono- lithic concrete structures. It has been developed with two things in mind — ease of operation and the production of absolutely flawless structures. The POLK SYSTEM machine automatically keeps the walls plumb, does away with an elaborate, complicated, risky system of scaffold- ing, imposes no strain upon the section of wall already built, and so unifies and simplifies construction that any intelligent workman can easily erect the most perfect, monolithic structure on earth. The unifying, simplifying, protected principle of the POLK SY^STEM machine is the use of a centermast. This centermast is erected at the center of the floor of the structure and is carefully plumbed by means of guy wires attached to the top. It is a 4-inch steel pipe provided with a series of transverse holes to receive a heavy steel pin. This pin supports a widely flanged collar which serves to support the jack by which the forms are lifted. Resting upon the jack is a hub, consisting of a flanged base collar and a top dished collar connected by a central pipe of sufficient diameter to work easily over the center- mast. From the base collar of this hub radiate steel Tees which are supported from the upper collar by adjustable hanger rods with chain clevises. The wall-forming forms are made in two widths — four and five feet. Each form consists of eight separable sec- tions, each of which is reenforced and stiffened by a steel angle frame around the edges. The inner and outer steel Polk System Machines Render the Service THE POLK SYSTEM MACHINE wall fonus are care- fully rolled aiul tested for exact cur- vature. They are rigidly bolted to the radiating steel Tees. The outer sections are bolted together at their ends thru holes in the frames. The inner sections are similarly fas- tened together, but they carry a steel wedge between them, the lifting of wdiich allows them to swing free. The fact that ])oth inner and outer forms are securely bolted to the rigid steel Tees insures perfect curvature and alignment for every portion of the wall. For placing the concrete in between the forms a V-shaped dumping bucket is used. This bucket is supported by a crane pivotally attached to the centermast di- rectly above the top collar of the hub. It can be easily swung to any part of the wall space. It is Polk System Silos Are Indestructible THE POLK SYSTEM MACHINE hoisted by means of a rope and series of pulleys so arranged that the hoisting force is applied horizontally from with- out the structure. A small opening thru which the hoist- ing rope works is cut in the wall near the bottom of the first fill of concrete. When the bucket has been hoisted it is coupled to the carrier on the crane by means of a hinged hook. Then it is swung to any part of the wall space desired. The scaffolding, both inner and outer, is swung from the steel Tees which project some distance beyond the wall. r\ . . The operation of the machine is very simple. UpcrdtlOn Tj-^e forms are set, the reenforcing bars are placed in position, the concrete is mixed, hoisted, dumped and packed between the forms, and allowed to set. On the next morning the nuts connecting the sections of the outer forms are loosened, the steel wedges fixing the sections of the inner forms are lifted, and both inner and outer forms swing free from the wall. Then by means of the jacks resting on the widely flanged base collar, the whole mechanism is lifted until in position for a new fill and the forms again are set by means of the bolts and the wedges. The actual raising of the forms for a new fill does not require more than ten minutes. Though some POLK SYSTEM^ contractors have successfully placed two fills a day during hot, dry weather, one fill a day is the most satisfactory rate of progress. 4 1 . The POLK SYSTEM machine automatically AayantageS keeps the wall of regular thickness, true to a circle and perfectly plumb. It does away with an always risky system of scaffolding and allows no strain on the "green wall." It is especially adapted for high work. It also provides a rapid and economical means of hoisting and depositing concrete in the form. Besides all of this the contractor can, with the standard POLK SYSTEM machine, build any sort of circular reenforced concrete work, such as grain storage bins, coal pockets, smoke stacks and water tanks, besides the silos that the farmers are calling for. Everybody Believes in the Polk System THE POLK SYSTEM MACHINE rp .. .1 Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 16th, 1915. leStimonialpoik-Genung-Polk Co., Ft. Branch, Indiana. Gentlemen: — In answer to your letter of the 11th inst. I am very willing indeed to advise you concerning my experience with the POLK SYSTEM. The three Polk System machines bought June 1, 1914, ran steadily the remainder of the season and netted me a splendid profit. I attribute no little of my success to the certainty with which your machines do their work. Actual construction costs, after applying your schedule to local conditions, ran close with my schedule — so I know just ''where I was" all the time. The depreciation on my equipment was negligible. My one best job was a con- crete water tower 124 ft. high which I built with one of my Polk System machines. This year inquiries for silos are coming so fast I am quite sure the demand will be greater than I can supply with three machines and will have to buy more machines. I can plainly see that this permanent silo business offers big opportunity for contractors and I am glad I adopted the ''line." Yours truly, J. A. HIGGS. «T The POLK SYSTEM machine is made of the Warranty best material obtainable and by the most skillful mechanics in the business. Every single part of the machine is tested before leaving the factory. The POLK SYSTEM machine is warranted to stand up to the hardest handling without breakage of any kind. The entire resources of the POLK SYSTEM and the whole POLK SYSTEM reputation stand back of every single POLK SYSTEM machine. If there are points about the POLK SYSTEM that are not clear in your mind, kindly allow us to clarify them. If 3^ou want more complete information, if you want to know what our contractors are accomplishing, told in the words of the contractors themselves, we shall gladly fur- nish such information and such testimonials at your request. Prices will be furnished for delivery to any rail- way point in the United States, Canada or Mexico, or to any port for export trade. Polk Genung Polk Co., Inc., Fort Branch, Indiana The Hurst Silo Patented 1902. 1904, 1914 THE CHAS. B. HURST COMPANY Established 1904 819-829 Exchange Ave., Union Stock Yards CHICAGO, ILL. Chillicothe, O. Live Stock Exchange Bldg., Kansas City, Mo P J i We are the owners of the Hurst Keinforced Concrete rroaUCl Block Silo Patents and sole distributors of Hurst Patent Gravity Mass Block Molds for casting these Hurst Silo Blo.ks. riACrrinfinn ■'^^^'^^ Silos are built of reinforced concrete blocks L/CdtripUUn rnade in Hurst Patent Molds using the poured The Silo system. The Blocks are 23'% inches long, 11% inches high and 4 inches thick; are dense, water- proof and have tremendous crushing resistance. Each block has running through it two steel rods % inches thick. These rods have their ends out turned at right angles in recesses in the ends of the block, as shown in Figure 3, No. 10. They are curved to form a perfect circle in any desired circum- ference. The blocks are laid in cement mortar same as any building block. The o]ily difference is in the rein- forcing and locking device. Each circle of blocks when laid in the wall forms a circular chain of which each block with its reinforcement is the long link. When blocks are set steel links are placed over the ends of the reinforcing bars, tension ap- plied and then filled with cement. (See Figure 3, No. 10, and Figure 2.) In the above manner Hurst Silos are erected. For closer detail see Figure 3. When walls are complete, a plaster ^-inch thick of one part cement, two parts sand, one-fifth hydrated lime is applied, making a smooth, waterproof interior, which insures perfect settling and keeping of ensilage. HURST SILOS ARE SOLD EVERYWHERE UNDER A WRITTEN GUARANTEE THE HURST SILO HlirQl" Slln Mnlrl^ Hurst Patented Gravity Mass Block Molds are furnished in sets of ten molds each, having a capacity of two hundred blocks per day. They are made of light steel of great strength and are practically indestructible. Each mold consists of two sides, two sets of division plates, clamps for locking molds, and core covers. The sides of the mold are of pressed steel, fitted with hollow pressed steel cores, which hold the reinforcing rods in position when the blocks are poured. Each mold A S/DES mfOM^SLE SCOA' ^FTf/? riL/NS makes 10 8. cmry co/^.^'s & /?£/A/FO/?c£M'/vr blocks at one suppo/?/' b — full c ppwroRcm pod filling — size or half blocks which are used at the doors. w pos/rm D F - SLOT CO/£/f E CUPi/ED STEEL P/iRTITm E ADJUSTABLE CLAA/PS and work Simple, Durable, Practical and Economical therefore, our proposition should Opportunity The manufac- ture and sale of the Hurst Silo is a com- mercial proposition, will enable you to twelve months in the yeai interest you. A small investment in equipment will take care of an immense amount of business, and insure quick returns. For more than eleven years Farmers and Stockmen have recog- nized the Hurst Silo as a safe investment and an ornament to the farm. Eleven years and not a failure— That 'a the Eecord. The Hurst System of reinforced concrete construction reduces to the minimum time, labor, expense and competition. We "have some more openings for live, responsible parties, but they are going fast. Don't put it off, but act now. Write for particulars and catalog. You Can Make Hur.t Silo Block, in the Dead of Winter THE HURST SILO Operation 1 — Bolt every 4 feet for fastening roof. 2— Step lad- der. 3 — Bolt every 3 feet for fastening chute. 4 — Door, door frame, door ladder steps. 5 — How lad- der steps lay in mor- tar joints. 6 — E e i n f r c - ing rods. 7 — S ectional interior view show- ing rein- forcing rods and links in blocks, also the smooth plaster fin- ish wall on the inter- ior. 8 — Concr e t e floor. Hurst Silos can be built with or without this con- crete bot- tom. 9 — ^F u n d a - t i n ex- tending be- 1 low line. frost 11X1 1;. - - . . 10 — Shows reinforcing rods ready for steel link, link in position, tension applied to rods and finally reinforcing rods covered to prevent corrosion. Make Your Blocks in Your Plant, Erect Them on the Job THE HURST SILO These Prominent Men and Institutions Use and Endorse Hurst Tanks and Silos L. F. SWIFT President, Swift & Co. O. W. LEHMAN The Fair Store, Chicago THE ELMENDOEF FAEM Lexington, Ky. W. E. PINNEY Banker, Valparaiso, Lid. ILLINOIS STATE FAIR ASSOCIATION Springfield, 111. M. W. SAVAGE Owner of the Famous Dan Patch NORTH OAKS STOCK FARM Jas. J. Hill, Proprietor P. W. CLIFORD Railroad Contractor, Valparaiso, Ind. CHARLES KELLY Pres. National Live Stock Commission Co. S. P. STEVENS Sales Manager, Reid, Murdoch & Co. JAMES BROWN Head Buyer, Armour & Co. M. WOLFE ' Broker, Union Stock Yards, Chicago W. H. LEAZENBY Banker, Bethany, Mo. L. B. COCKRELL Banker, Winchester, Ky. THOMAS JOHNSON Pres. Lorain Coal & Dock Co., Columbus, 0. NORTHERN INDIANA LAND CO. Demotte, Ind. CAVE VALLEY LAND AND CATTLE CO. Pgoti^. Ill THE POLK SANITARY MILK CO. Indianapolis, Ind. CALDWELL & SON Burlington Jet., Mo. B. C. RHOME Pres. of North State Bank, Ft. Worth, Tex. E. E. BETTS Supt. Transportation, C. & N. W. R. R. G. A. STEPHENS Pres. Moline Plow Co. C. D. THOMPSON Trenton, Mo. It Will Cost You Nothing To Investigate. Thirty Silos Were Built for One Man. All Were Hurst's Reichert Circular Adjustable Metal Molds Reichert Mfg. Co., Inc. 1436-1440 Booth Street Milwaukee, Wis. PRODUCT: Reichert's circular adjustable equipment, consisting of metal molds and accessories for all kinds of circular mono- lithic concrete construction; Reichert Metal Molds (F'at- ented) for any type or size of concrete construction. SCOPE OF USE FOR CIRCULAR ADJUSTABLE EQUIPMENT. Reichert's Metal Molds ^ ' are adapted for use in Gen- eral Concrete Construction of Silos, Elevators, Cis- terns, Railway and Water- tanks, Barns, Milk-houses, Coal-pockets, etc., etc. ADVANTAGES: Reichert's Molds are suc- cessfully operated with common labor; can be used either with or w^ithout a round or square chute; adjustable to any diame- ter or w^all thickness; use less room in transportation or storage; any height of wall. Instead of having an angle iron on the horizontal edges a band iron is riveted to the horizontal edges, w^hich allow^s the molds to take the required arch of various circles. The bands are set back on one mold and project on the other, thus making a lap joint. This lap joint making a smooth -wall and off-sets or ridges cannot be made. ^■ri J^i" Reichert's standard molds have been successfully operated on structures varying from 6 ft. in. to 40 ft. in. in diameter; from 2 ft. to 85 ft. in height, and v/a\\ thickness, varying from 3 in. to 18 in. The same unit mold since 1905. This record means the endurance of an idea, the permanent satisfaction of a definite design. OPPORTUNITY: Stop and consider what one Reichert Adjustable Equip- ment can do. Some farmers need big silos, others want them made smaller. With a Reichert outfit you can satisfy them all with no extra outlay. One equipment does it all. TESTIMONIAL: Ballinger, Texas, May 19, 1915. * * * I am having great success with my forms, building six feet easily on a tw^enty-foot silo, each day. Silo building is taking a boom in the county and I have all I can possibly do. Respectfully, Chas. Eisenhuth. ROOF MOLD: The dome roof is the most unique design of any style of roof ever placed on a concrete silo. The Reichert Roof Mold consists of curved segments which rest on the silo wall and are locked to a hub, or ring, at the top. The angles of the separate sections fit into this hub, or ring, thus locking the entire equipment together. The segments of the roof can be packed closely together and loaded in a small space in moving from one job to another. The roof molds include the complete cornice mold and a mold for a dormer window^. REMARKS: We are willing to go further than merely sending you our litera- ture, prices, etc. We w^ill gladly shovsr you the op- eration o f these molds right on the job or in our factory. Once seen, you'll have none others but the Reichert. CHAS. H. SWAN "Superior Lock" Stave Silo The latest and most up-to-date stave silo on the market The Chas. H. Swan Circular Staves The Chas. H. Swan Superior Lock" Staves are 30 inches long, 10% inches wide, 2^ inches thick, and are circular to conform to the circle of the silo, having a continuous tongue and groove around the stave completely locking with 6 other staves. With the tongue and groove or shoulder joint each stave has a true bearing with each other, and make a perfectly smooth silo inside and out, and with the staves made on a circle it makes the silo perfectly round and one of the easiest to erect. A heavy galvanized band or hoop encircles each tier of staves. In erecting the Chas. H. Swan ''Superior Lock" Stave Silo no expert help is necessary as the staves set up as easily as setting up toy blocks. Chas H. Swan Labor Saving Stave Machine The machine for making the Chas. H. Swan, ''Superior Lock" Staves is the last word in mould construction. All parts of the mould are perfectly milled with special milling cutters, the rear section of the mould is securely fastened to the base, the front section is hinged to the base and swings down, the ends are hinged to the rear section and swing out and when closed are locked to the front section with heavj^ malleable clasps, the mould can be easily adjusted to make different curved staves. This machine was designed by Chas, n. Swan with a view of giving the contractor a labor saving machine, one that is simple in construction, with few oper- ations, and one that can be used with an automatic tamper. One of these machines is capable of constructing 600 perfect staves daily. Onnnrfiifiifv ^^^ ^^^^ contractor who wishes to engage "* ^ in the best paying propositions of the day; one that will pay a larger j)ercentage of profit on your money than you can receive from any other source; a busi- ness that is not here for a day, but one that is here to stay, and getting better each year — then begin at once to manu- facture and erect ' ' Superior Lock ' ' stave silos. Write for complete information about this up-to-the-minute stave silo, and get our big money making proposition. We are sure it will please you. Write today. Swan Concrete Stave Silo Co. Cassopolis Michigan Winner Opening Silo Roof I ^'? •& ]\Ir. Concrete Man, are you fully aVireast of the times? Have you felt the commercial pulse, the wants and needs of people in every requisite of the silo you are now selling? For instance, take the roof you are selling and installing on your silos. Is it such as you can honestly and earn- estly recommend to your pa- trons? Whether it be wood, iron or concrete, if it is a sta- tionary roof it is badly out of harmony with silo construc- tion progress, — the wants and needs of the farmer. Listen: You sell your cus- tomer a concrete silo, — splen- did structure, yet, if you rec- ommend and sell him a sta- tionary roof, you are doing him an iii.iiistioe. You are compelling him to use only 15% of his silo. IM It Right? Progress — The last word in the silo world— THE WINNER EXTENSION ROOF — allows the farmer to use every cubic inch of his silo space. Adds 25f^ to the capacity of the silo. The WINNER EXTEN- SION ROOF gives light, fresh air, ventilation, convenience during tilling time; gives per- fect protection to silo and en- silage; easily installed on silo, and easily opened and closed. You owe it to yourself — you owe it to the men whose money pays for the silos you build, that you give them an opportunity to use every foot of silo you sell them. The WINNER EXTENSION ROOF does this, — you should recom- mend and sell it. The farmer needs and wants the EXTEN- SION ROOF. We make the WINNER EX- TENSION ROOF just fit and ' right for vour particular silo. To legitimate builders and dealers we allow a neat profit. Write us for our proposition. SILO SPECIALTY MFG. CO. 423 Weston Bldg. :-: Clinton, Iowa Build for Permanency The silo which defies time and elements is the concrete silo Years may come and go but the concrete silo will stand as a symbol of 20th century perma- nent construction ideas. Yet 99% of the present concrete silos iiave one great weakness, — THE DOOR rRA3IE AND DOOR. It IS crude, ill-fitting-, cumber- some, and really inadequate for Its purpose. Perhaps your silo door and trame are not as thev should be I.ook into the latest and most scientific door frame constructed, —the AIR-TITE all steel door frame. With it you can ap. proach your prospective cus- tomer and say: "With my silo you get the best and most prac- tical^ door frame constructed." Consider These Points: The silo door :s solely for the purpose of 'hscharging silage as needed, that this may be done quickly and with the least possible la- bor, the door must be continu- ous. The AIR-TITE is continu- ^V-''\;- - ^I^e admittance of air"fo siTa^g^'e whI VoH^'it '' ThPn' door' is "sa '''' """' ^' ^^^ ''^''' ^^ ^'^« silo^^a^? T^he im-^I^^E vn^i^"f,-o^"^^''''S*.^'°"'' ^*'° *° ^^^""^ "^e test of time. Should not your frame and doors be likewise? The AIR-TITE frame is all «,t^Pi ^e?e '^^But "mnvf^^''^"' ^""''T- ^"^^ ^"d elements™ King Co'n- ciete. But more, — your customer, the farmer wantwin8: Off-set Hoops ami Form of stave is thor- Const riution and Keress for Pointing Outside. oughly reinforced with bars. Each stave has a 4M rib that adds still greater strength. Each stave has a concave and convex edge and a lock on the ends. The staves interlock when erecting. The Playford staves are five times stronger than the ordinary stave. Absolutely waterproof. Outside pointing prevents the staves from "checking" and re- lieves the strain on the staves, thereby making it unnecessary to double-hoop. Hoops can't sag. The Playford Silo embodies the latest, up-to-date knowledge and experience in silo building. Be- ing a new silo, we are not forced to cling to old ideas. AVe pro- duce a silo that is strikingly dif- ferent. The Playford will enable you as a contractor to offer an A No. 1 business proposition to the farmer. OUR PROPOSITION — Be the con- tractor who will be able to give the farmer a real business propo- sition. The demand already ex- ists — trade will come to you easily and quickly. There is 12 solid years of silo experience be- hind our proposition. We have plenty of capital and the equip- ment to "make good" in every direction. It's the broadest and most workable kind of a deal ever put out. Now is the chance to secure the choicest territory. Write to-day. Interlocking Cement Stave Silos Interlocking Cement Stave Silo Company 414-17 FLYNN BLDG. PES MOINES, lA. The inventions used and developed by this Company make It possible for our lessees to construct concrete silos, water-tanks, and other build- ings, of any desired size, and to sell them to the farmer at a price which approximates the cost of an ordinary good wood structure. This Is only possible because of the great simplicity of our system, and the fact that we only use one stave in any construction, regardless of whether It be a silo eight feet In diameter, or twenty-p.ight feet. Our system does not require a manufacturer to keep on hand a number of different sized staves to be used in different sized structures, and therefore this not only slmpli- nes his business, but reduces the up-keep expense to a minimum. One of our machines is capable of constructing five hundred staves per day, and each stave is just as perfect as is the gearing of a watch. The erecting of a silo, or any other structure requiring a multiplicity of these staves, is as simple as is the mating of toy building blocks by a child. This is made possible by the absolute perfection of the machine which we use for the manufacturing of our staves, a cut of which is shown herewith. Our INTERLOCKING feature Is such that there is not a Joint in our completed structure, but that is strengthened by an encircling band, and this is accomplished with a lesser number of bands than Is used by any other construction known. We will give you a full and satisfactory guar- antee concerning everything regarding our system. If you are desirous of engaging in a business which la the Uvest and most flourishing business there is in the country today, and want a proposi- tion which will pay you a larger percentage on your money than you can receive from anything else, write us today, and we will thoroughly explain our proposition. Forms for Monolithic Silos MARTIN CONCRETE FORM CO., Ottawa, Kan. P J |. We are manufacturers of the Martin Steel Forms for Monolithic Silos; also Culvert Forms in Circle Arch and Flat Top Patterns. ri<*cr»finf irt« '^^^ Martin Silo Form is made of sheet steel ^ " which is held in place and adjusted to either 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 foot diameter sizes. The adjustment is made by means of turn-buckles. The form is held in place by angle irons radiating from the center and braced from the bottom to the top of the form. The form is raised by means of jacks used on the upright reinforcing rods. Adaptability When you buy a Martin Steel Form for Mono- lithic Silo work you are buying a form that has all the good features of other silo forms and one other feature that gives you the advantage over users of other makes. This feature is its ad- justability. With a Martin Form you can build silos qf five differ- ent dimensions. It is not necessary to have five separate equipments. With a Martin Steel Form in hand, your opportunity is assured. Its wide range, its perfect operation and its uninterrupted success is bound to help you in the silo business. Eemember one investment in Martin Forms puts you in a business where others have invested money for new forms every time a new size silo was in demand. Let us send you our catalog and prices. We are certain they will interest you. Opportunity Ask About Our ADJUSTABLE CULVERT FORMS Playf ord Cement Stave Silo Cement Stave Silo Company Des Moines, la. Patentees and Manufacturers Product Description A system of erecting silos of cement staves which enables you to build them in any diameter and height at a lower cost than any other permanent silo, and a system for making the cement staves. The machine for mak- ing the cement staves is on the order of a block machine, is portable and is operated with the same ease. This machine builds staves 30 inches long-, 10 inches wide, 2l^ inches thick with concave and convex edges that make perfect socket joints. In construction the PLAYFORD CE- MENT STAVES are put up vertically, in- terlocking at the half, with joints her- metically sealed and reinforced every 15 inches with steel hoops on the outside. This makes a smooth, thin, rigid, air- tight and strong enough wall to with- stand load and storm pressures, and frost. Open joints are allowed every 10 inches for expansion and contraction to eliminate cracked walls from heat or frost. Advantages Y l^^ With e PLAYFORD CEMENT STAVE you do not limit your operations to silos only. Water tanks, utility houses, culverts and even straight-wall barns are built with these staves. Don't you see your opportunity here? Opportunity fl^^l chance to make money. Better write us for particulars and terms on our STAVE MACHINES. Playford Cement Stave Silo is the King: of Silos — Ask the farmer The HOBBS Block Machine Will Do More and Better Work Success comes to the block maker who is ^.^j^^ prepared to fill any order for anv building. You absolutely must have a '.^acire that makes a .-at. variety of s.ze^^^^^^ expense. Recognize the wisdom ot •/ -rw^l do oM and installing the new machine if it will do more and better work. .^^ ^i^^^ Order a Hobbs on tr.a --^ ^^^^ ^^^^Vplates do not make machine you ever saw, it o^i con p r ^^ change -l,::!it,y!^farSi.r.uf;our canape as .eU. First get our catalog. ^...^tf-hv ri\ THE HOBBS CONCRETE MACHlNERYja 14.4S West Boulevard ^^ Lansing Company LANSING, MICHIGAN NEW YORK 288-289 West St. CHICAGO 169 West Lake St. MINNEAPOLIS 330 North First St. WAREHOUSES KANSAS CITY 1415 West 10th St. SAN FRANCISCO 338 Brannan St. PHILADELPHIA Willow and North American Sts. BOSTON 78 Cambridge St. CharlestOTm DlAt. Branch Factory PARKIN, ARK. Product — I^ansing- Dove Tail Silo Block Machine. * *" , A machine designed to make blocks of unusual strenerth to resist the pressure of the ensilage. 19 ^1^^ *i^i""^^^^?o^? almost any diameter wanted, being made In 11, 14, lb and 18-foot sizes, and the blocks for any of these sizes can be spaced a little differently for making larger or smaller diameters. For example, the 14-foot size will answer for 12. 14 and 16-foot diameter. The MachineTr""-^ made of heavy gray iron castings, consisting of fTnl r>itt! i"!^® and mold. The mold consists of two end plates. ^^r^«5 -^^ ^^^3 ^^^^ P^^^® ^"<^ cores. A complete outfit is fur- thl block^ sample pallet, tamper and striker for leveling w^^JI^-.^^^^^!,"L^^^o® H^^'^^^^^^s are made— 8x9x16 and 8x10x16. make Sv.f'W^^^ ?.^^^$^^^°^ ^^^^^^ ^^^« «^l°s- Both machines make blocks 7% inches high, and eight wide and 16 inches long. Ooeratioil ZZ^^- operation of producing a block on our Silo Block ^JIX """, ,^,achine is very simple. All you have to do is to operate it like any block machine. Showing^ the inter-tier and inter-block tie used on our silo blocks. Reinforcina~''^^®^^®^"^o^c^"& of the blocks is provided for In the rLCluiurcingnianufacture of the blocks, the finished block having grooves across the top in which wire reinforcing is placed ''^^'''^ It will be noticed that the dovetail opening sets over a small thli''L°P/"'"^.^'?5 ^^^° ^^'^ opening is pbured soft cemint When this hardens. It thoroughly binds the different tiers of blocks as Slo ^Th1.^Pnmh?n?t^"^^ block, together into a continuous concrete fiVtp'w fhi combination of the three reinforcements makes it abso- * t^y,,^^® strongest and best silo on earth, having the advantae-e of hollow wall with the strength of the solid wall. advantage Remarks 7^?^? Lansing Dovetail Silo Block machine is made of «^«^iiiaiivd the best grade of materials and guaranteed t be free iet^iul^^^^L?""^ }"" ^-^^^^J material or workmaSsh??. ^ FurthI? aetalls and prices furnished on request. Peerless Silo Molds Monolithic Concrete Silo Build- ing is highly profitable if the right equipment is used. The RIGHT one is the one with the largest daily capacity, making the greatest possible speed with the least effort and least possi- ble expense. This is accomplished with a Peerless Silo outfit, the ORIGINAL Steel Molds for silo building. The principal advantages of the Peerless System and Molds are: 1. A CHUTE CONTINUOUS WITH MAIN WALL. See U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,122,329. Other patents pending. 2. FLEXIBLE TYPE of molds — adjustable to different diame- ters but retaining the rigidity of a standard mold. 3. UNIQUE SIMPLICITY of mechanism and operation; elimi- nating all cumbersome or troublesome equipment such as center- mast, guy ropes, wires, etc. 4. SALES METHODS, (a) We GIVE you EXCLUSIVE RIGHT to build Peerless Silos within a specified district. This valuable concession costs you nothing'. The only molds sold on this plan, (b) We sell an interest in molds and build in partnership with option to purchase our interest. 5. We use the same equipment we sell. WRITE US FOR PEERLESS PARTICULARS. 71/^' Daily Capacity Mold; &f Capacity, 2 Rings 3' each. Monolithic Concrete Barn and Silos, Lexington, Ky., Built with Peerless Silo and Wall Molds. New Enterprise Concrete Machinery Company 910 Fir«t NaUonal Bank Bldg., CHICAGO, ILL. Hoosier Silo Extension Roof AND METAL CHUTE Sheet Metal Specialty Co. Goshen, Ind. Manufacturers Product "^ metal silo roof which can be opened up out of the way, when filling the silo, and when so opened forms an extension to the top of the silo, which takes care of the settling of ensilage. Description Roof Open The roof consists of three parts: a base, a double section segment and a single section seg- ment. The base is fastened to the silo by means of strap irons. The segments are made of crimped galvanized sheet metal and both single and double section segments are hinged alternately to the base. The double section segments have two wings hinged on each side, which fold one inward and the other outward. When opened and locked they form a complete circle, like shown in illustration. Arlx/nnfacT^e '^^^ farmer once shown i^uvaina^ca ^^.j^i g^^ these points in favor of a HOOSIER roof: A roof that is not in the way when ng the silo, A roof that makes it possible to use your silo. A roof that will fit any silo and work isfactorily. A roof that measures the same on the ide as your silo, therefore, the silage the same volume as that in your silo. A roof that is void of cross arms and braces to hinder your silage from settling. p__„__I_-The HOOSIER SILO ivemarKs extension roof win help cinch the sale of a silo. Just try it on the next farmer and see how interested he'll become. Only men like him will appreciate the value of this roof, because you give him more for his money. Better get posted on this HOOSIER SILO EXTENSION ROOF, Mr. Con- crete Silo Builder. It will help you wonderfully in your business. Ask for our catalogue. The HOOSIER Roof is not only right in theory but Guaranteed Practical Buckeye Silo Roofs Gambrel Eoof With Dormer Window. We manufacture a full line of sheet metal equipment for concrete silo, such as Gambrel, Third Pitch and Extension Eoofs. Also Metal Chutes, Ladders and Ladder Rungs. Buckeye All Steel Silo Door For Concrete Silos MANUFACTURED BY The Thomas & Armstrong Co. London, Ohio For sale by B L. BEVINGTON MCH. CO. ^.« «, xxr u- » „ Ri„^ CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 549 W. Washington Blvd. ^ — AINU — THE PIERCE CO. ,,«o w/ iju • RW« KANSAS CITY, MO 1102 Waldheim tSldg. "MEDUSAIZE" YOUR SILOS BY USING Medusa Gray Portland Cement Medusa Waterproofing Medusa Waterproofed Cement YOU want your silo to last for generations and you want it impervious to water and dampness. When you use Medusa products you are using the same materials that have been adopted by the U. S. Government for coast defense work, breakwaters, etc., and this should convince the most skeptical of their superiority. Don't take any chances by allow- ing "something just as good" to be used. BUILD OF MEDUSA AND MAKE YOUR SILO A MONUMENT TO YOUR GOOD JUDGMENT Write for prices, sam- ples and illustrated and de- scriptive catalogs contain- ing tests and testimonials. Oandusky fortland Cement Co. SANDUSKY, OHIO On a Bag of Cement Stands for a Record of 24 Years of Quality When you buy lumber you can see the quality for yourself; when you buy Portland Cement you must rely on the maker and the dealer. There are different kinds and grades of "Port- land" Cement. Don't risk ruining your job with poor cement. ALPHA THE GUARANTEED PORTLAND CEMENT is warranted by us and by all ALPHA dealers to more than meet the U.S. Government stand- ard. The Government has used ALPHA ex- tensively for fortifications, sea walls, dams, etc. The ALPHA chemists test the product every hour, keeping it up to the very top m uniform- ity, fineness and binding power. Ask the ALPHA Dealer for further details and for a copy of the large ALPHA book, showing how to build silos and make scores of farm and home concrete improve- ments. If you don't know the ALPHA dealer, write us, mentioning what you are planning to build. Address Dept. B. Alpha Portland Cement Company General Offices: Easton, Pa., Sales Offices: New York. Chicago pSeiphia, Boston. Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Baltimore, Savannah 'ZkX^X.*^^^. An Average of 51 visitors each business day for six months called at this demon- strating silo erected by the Holmes - Harding Company i n Sioux City, Iowa, with AT- LAS PORTLAND CEMENT. There seems to be quite a little interest in Atlas Concrete Silos — and with good reason. THE ATLAS PORTLAND CEMENT CO. New York Chicago Philadelphia Minneapolis Des Moines OfFlCC IHSIOt . jjOU|£HAEWII6« Marquette Portland Cement "The Certified Cement" A cement of certified quality for all purposes Manilf arhirp Marquette Portland Cement is a mined iYlanUraClUrc product. After the rock is blasted from the mine it is conveyed to the surface of the earth, where it goes through the various processes ot crushing, burning, pul- verizing and curing, until it is ready for sacking. Hourly tests are made of all raw materials and at different stages of manu- facture as well as the finished product to insure uniform as well as the best quality. Every bag of Marquette Portland Cement is guaranteed to conform to Standard and Government Specifications; there is a green guarantee tag attached to every bag; it certifies Marquette quality. Packages and Territory cemenf !! £'£'t strong duck bags or strong paper sacks into the states of IllinoTs, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan. Prices are quoted by barrel; four bags to a barrel. I ., k Ya ^^"^ ^^^^ ^^^ request to anyone interested Literature ^^^ building in the Middle West. "Building for the Future," a book containing photographic proof of Marquette achievements. "Concrete in the Country," the use of concrete on the farm. "Concrete Silos" information on the building as well as filling of silos. Marquette Cement Mfg. Company Marquette Building CHICAGO EVERY BAG OF MARQUETTE IS GUARANTEED The Ideal Hoists Reversible or Non-Reversible Made by UNIVERSAL HOIST & MFG. CO. 605 State St., Cedar Falls, Iowa PRODUCT — We are manufacturers of the world known Ideal Hoists. Made in sizes and styles suitable for all purposes. The hoist described here is most suited for silo construction. DESCRIPTION— The Regular Ideal Hoist is mounted on an 8-foot frame equipped with friction band brake and ratchet brake, adapted for direct hoisting, single platform elevator, derrick, etc. It will handle loads up to 1500 pounds. OPERATION — Ideal Hoists are equipped to be operated with any make of Gas Engine, motor or other power; driving sprocket wheels and chain, or belt wheel for belt drive furnished free. They can be mounted up with a concrete mixer or other machines and connected to the same engine, so that it is not necessary to buy an extra engine to operate the hoist. The simplicity, ease of operation and reasonable price of this hoist has made it very popular among contractors who specialize on small buildings, silos, etc. 30 DAYS' FREE TRIAL — All Ideal Hoists are shipped subject to ap- proval after 30 days trial. They are guaran- teed to fulfill the re- quirements in e V e r }■ respect. There is no risk in placing your order for an Ideal Hoist. It is a valuable addition to any contractors' equipment — soon pays for itself in the saving of time, labor and ex- pense. REMARKS — Further information in regard to a hoist for any particu- lar kind of work will be gladly furnished. We build them in all styles and sizes. Ask for our Catalog and prices and state what work you want to do with a hoist. The Low Down Concrete Mixer The feeding device on this machine is positive, accurate and automatic. The materials are forced into the mixing trough in accurate proportions and even, continuous, unbroken streams which guaran- tees a finished concrete of even texture without weak or lean spots. This kind of a mixture is highly essential in all concrete silo construction. This machine has a capacity of from 4 to 12 cubic yards per hour. It is constructed entirely of mal- leable iron and steel. Has a mixing device so de- signed that the cement is thoroughly incorporated with the aggregate. Write for descriptive catalog and prices to Elite Mfg. Co. Ashland, Ohio The Knickerbocker Co. Jackson, Michigan Mfrs. of Batch and Continuous Concrete Mixers A batch machine with stationary meas- uring hopper, equipped with a hoist for elevat- ing concrete to forms. Capacity — 7 cu. ft. loose materials per batch. Power — 4 H.-P. Ideal or Novo. Weight— 2,300 lbs. Wheels— 16 and 22- inch. Capacity of hoist— 500 lbs. One man can advantageously operate these machines and produce sufficient concrete for silo requirements. Where more capacity is desired, put on another man. Machines furnished with wagon tread when required. _ ^^^ ^ Coltrin-A contin- uous machine that has mixed concrete for every country requirement. Capacity — 8 cu. yds. per hour. Power— 3 H.-P. Ideal or Novo. Weight— 1,900 lbs. Wheels — 22 and 30 inch. Our Machines Combining Portability— Durability— Dependability Quickly Save Their Cost The Knickerbocker Co. MINSTER Batch Concrete Mixers are for Silo and Farm Work they are Handy — Rapid — Economical Operated by ONE MAN or A GANG. Capacity up to 30 cu. yds. per day easily. WEIGHT ON SKIDS 340 lbs. On truck with "ENGINE 1,000 lbs. DUST AND GRIT PROOF BEAR- INGS. Low Price— High Quality Mixes sand, gravel or crushed stone, wet, dry or any way concrete is wanted. Easily moved from place to place. Built of best materials, and made for hard continuous service. Fully guaranteed. The best machine you can get for your work. Write today for full particulars and prices. THE CUMMINGS MACHINE CO. g.'.^sx^E'Jir l?ff.?5 FOR SILO WORK the two mixers illustrated on this page have fully mei the exacting conditions of good concrete silo construction, The Eureka Batch Mixer holds 5 to 6 cu. ft. dry material per batch. Furnished with Side Loader, Batch Hopper, or Wheelbarrow Hopper. A 3 j4 h. p. engine operates it. Its portability and compact, substantial construction are commendable features for frequent moves over rough roads. The Eureka Continuous Mixer shown here has a capacity of 5 to 8 cu. yds. an hour. It is well adapted for silo work, and is widely used for that purpose. On account of limited space here will you kindly ask for catalog and more complete information. EUREKA MACHINE COMPANY 112 Handy St., Lansing, Mich. a 99 The Standard Low Charging Concrete Mixer The charging platform of "The Standard" Mixer is only 24-inches high from the ground and is furnished with the outfit (see illustration) which maizes the mixer easily charged di- rect from wheel- barrows. This does away with the necessity of building high platforms or the use of dangeroue s'Vio loaders which cause three-fourths of your delays and breakdowns. The large opening in charging end of drum p.ermits constant inspection of batch at all times and enables you to determine exact condition of same before discharging. It is essential to get good concrete in the construction of Silos, Tanks, etc. The illustration below shows mixer equipped with hoist for elevating conciete or other uses and is especially adapted for con- struction of Silos, Towers, Chimneys, etc. This design provides the handling of mixed concrete in an elevated position without requiring a separate hoisting equipment. The mixer and hoist are driven by the same engine and can be operated together or independently as desired. The weight of "The Standard" Low Charging Mixer is reduced to a minimum on account of its simple construction, few working parts, etc., which allow the outfit to be easily moved from one location lo another. These machines are built in capacities of 3 to 40 cubic feet per batch and complete Cat- alog No. 22SB will be mailed at your rfrjurst. The Standard Scale & Supply Co., Mfrs. 1345-47 Wabash Ave. 243-245 Water St. 136 W. Broadway Chicago Pittsburgh New York 35 So. 4th St. 1547 Columbus Rd. Philadelphia Cleveland The Winner Model **E" 4 and 6 Cubic Ft. Concrete Mixer Made by The Cement Tile Machinery Co. 408 Rath St., Waterloo, la. npcrrinfinn — ^ special concrete mixer with hoist, especially " adapted to silo builders. A simple batch mixer with an open drum that does the mixing always in sight. Easily charged and more easily discharged. The Winner was primarily built to answer the requirements of the silo contractor. It is light and handy to move through the country from one job to another, has the mixer and hoist all com- bined in one machine. Hundreds of operators in all parts of the country have placed their O. K. on this type as a silo rig. It is so simple and efficient. The Winner will mix con- crete as well as the best mixer on the market and the hoist will not be in the way, or bother the oper- ator when the mixing is being done. The hoist can be used sep- arate, or the mixer separate, or both together and neither one will interfere with the w^ork of the other. You couldn't buy a separate hoist for anywhere near the price we ask for this neat, efficient and durable little rig. Write for our Catalog and Prices. The Hoist is a single drum, non-reversible type. Anderson Rotary Mixer It's a One Man Control W. H. Anderson Tool & Supply Co. 182 Brush Street, Detroit, Michigan Adantahilifv "^^^^ Anderson Rotary Mixer is without question rkuayiaumiy ^j^g ^^^^ ^^-^^^^ most economically operated con- crete mixer on the market today, particularly adapted to the contractor who wants a portable machine for silo or other small jobs requiring a capacity of 75 to 80 cubic yards per day. 0^ttr*v*inf irkti ^^^^ Anderson Eotary Mixer is a one man con- I^CSCripUUIl tj.oi_ Tj^g operator has full control of side loader, water and discharge. Mixer is furnished with wheelbarrow or batch hopper, or side loader, as desired. Also with or without hoist. Frame and truck are made of steel. Drum is 36 inches in diameter, is con- structed with heavy cast iron heads, with slop rings on loading and discharging ends cast integral with head to prevent wasting or slopping of material. Wheels are pro- tected by ,mud rings from grit and mud. The blades of the drum are so arranged to give a thorough mixing of the materials in a minimum amount of time. Has a steel driving gear of solid forged steel with hardened roller steel chain. Novo Engine. 1^ i The Anderson Eotary Mixer is guaranteed Vailai anL66 against defective material of any kind, but not the replacement of broken parts when these parts are broken by carelessness. We will replace any defective part if said part is forwarded to us, prepaid carrier, for our inspection. ■Q 1 We have studied very carefully the conditions and Jtvenia,rKS ^-^q methods of the contractors, being in the con- tractors' supply business for 44 years, and we are offering this machine to you backed by our guarantee, experience and reputa- tion. All these features mean a great deal to contractors in the saving of wages alone. The one man control feature alone will save 5 to 10 dollars per day in expenses and greatly increase the output. Ask for the Anderson Rotary Mixer BuUetin 107E. C G C »H ^ S P > li rt 4-1 ra Qj y •1-1 .« es t« '^ IE U Qi U 2 X u < 06 Ui X u u h Jaeger Big-an-Litle Mixer "A Mix a Minute Kind" Made by THE JAEGER MACHINE CO., 217 Rich Street Columbus, Ohio Ruv a RiV-an-Litle Mixer ^""^ ^^'^ ^'^^ ^^^""^ ^^^""^ p°^" DUy a Dlg-an-Lllie lYIlXer ^.^^^ advantage you could ask for or desire in a mixer, especially a mixer for silo or other small construction work. It mixes a batch a minute — i| \ ^ 5 to 6 cubic feet — mixing always open to the eye. Charging and discharging is the simplest of its kind. Its hoist attachment is in- dispensable for silo work. If you want an efRcient, economical and portable mixer, get a Jaeger "Big- an-Litle." PI *i\f*nii ^^^ Drum, of conical-shape, rests on the yoke L/eSCripilOIl and revolves around the axis, which is held by yoke at an angle. The power to rotate the drum is taken from the drive pinion, which has its bearing- in the center of one end of the yoke, making it possible for the drum to be discharged while re- volving. The Power to drive the pinion is taken from the engine by means of gears, which thus produces a positive drive with no possibility of break-down. The Outfit is of the best mechanical design and construction. It is rigidly braced to insure greatest strength, eliminate r11 ■=trnin nnri withstand long-continued rough usage, with p r a ctically n o outlay for repairs. If you want speed, steady service and correct mix- ing, get a Jaeger "Big- A n - L i t 1 e Mixer." Ask the man who uses one. Catalog Tells Why ^ Archer Special Concrete Mixer Archer Iron Works rHIPArn 34th Place and NVestern Avenue V/01V//\\jl7 An Ideal Mixer for Silo Construction The big problem of the silo buildei" and the general con- crete contractor has been to obtain a really portable mixer, not too small in capacity and yet at a low price. The Archer Special Concrete Mixer supplies this want in every respect. The placing of the weight of the heavier parts of the machine over the wheels allows the mixer to be easily lifted at the platform end and moved around on the job without trouble. When moving from one job to another simply hook the platform end onto the back end of a wagon and "you're off." For Silo building the mixer is specially provided with a hoisting drum direct connected to the countershaft. The mixer has a capacity of 4V^ cubic feet of wet concrete per batch or G to 7 cubic feet of dry material. This allows a daily capacity of 50 cubic yards which Is the amount we guarantee, although many contractors have greatly exceeded this amount. The Archer Special mixer is not only adapted to Silo Building but is particularly fitted for all classes of concrete work such as Founda- tions, Sidewalks, Concrete Roads, Culverts, Bridges, etc. One of the chief advantages of the mixer for general work lies in the End Discharging feature, which makes it possible to spout concrete direct into tlie forms in most cases thus saving the cost of wheeling. The End Discharge together with the Portability or easy mov- ing feature gives the machine a special advantage over most types of small mixers intended for use on jobs running up to 3,000 cubic yards or less. While mixing costs vary according to the layout of the jobs, the average labor cost with the Archer Special has been determined to range around 40 cents per cubic yard of concrete mixed and placed. Full particulars and prices, write for catalogue E, furnished on request. The Logical Mixer for Contractors THOROUGHNESS Concrete in Silo Construction MUST be Thoroughly Mixed. The Blystone Shovels, which insure absolutely perfect mixing of concrete or mortar. Handle dry or wet, coarse or fine material. The open drum enables the whole mixing- opera- tion to be watched and controlled. Extreinely easy to clean. No attachments to eat up power and get out of order. Every ounce of power mixes. Hopper & Son, Manhat- tan, Kansas, say: "We now^ have in use five of your mixers building silos. We find it a very conven- ient mixer for this pur- pose. We are especially concerned in a thorough mix, light weight for trans- portation and moderate price. In all these re- spects your machine fills the bill." OVER 1300 BLYSTONES NOW IN USE INVESTIGATE AT ONCE BLYSTONE MFG. CO. 140 Second Street Cambridge Springs, Pa. IIT" ■ JL Take the M ajority Choice— the For Silo WONDER MIXER with AUXILIARY HOIST Specially designed for Silo builders, this combination has also proved the most popular all-around mixing and hoisting outfit on the market. It is extensively used by chimney builders, where condi- tions similar to those obtaining in silo work are met. It is simple, strong and dependable, and only 12 inches longer than our standard LITTLE WONDER "FIVE" mixer, and the hoist adds but 200 pounds in weight. The WONDER has 2% h. p. gasoline engine and lifts 700 pounds at 45, or 500 pounds at 60 feet per minute. Where heavier loads are to be hoisted, we equip with 4% h. p. engine. Cable capacity 250 feet of %-inch cable. Hoisting drum has ratchet and pawl for holding load at rest, or, by means of the brake it can be "spotted" at any point desired. Side Loader can be added to this machine at time of purchase if wanted. The Secret of Success in silo building is the density of the mix — its air and water tight quality. Two concerns are each using 40 WONDERS, and several 20 or more for this reason, and thousands of contractors throughout the country testify to WONDER superiority in every essential point of mixer construction. Send for Our Special Trial Offer and catalog of "The Mixers That Make the Money" before deciding upon any mixer. Branch offices and distributing: depots in New Yorlt, Pliiladelpbia, Cliicago and a dozen other Iarg:e cities, also 100 agencies. Write for tlie nearest to you. WATERLOO CEMENT MACHINERY CORPORATION 125 VINTON ST.. WATERLOO, IOWA Mfrs. Concrete Mixers, Traction Pavers, Trench Fillers and Contractors' Equipment Simplex Continuous Concrete Mixer This machine combines the rolling principle of mix embodied in all Batch mixers, with an absolutely accurate measuring device and positive force feed. The revolving cylindrical drum is slightly tilted, which allows for a rolling mix and gravity discharge. The material is fed into the mixing drum through a three compartment hopper equipped with a measuring device and force feeding attach- ment which are graduated for any desired proportion. The drum Is sixty inches long, and on account of the slight tilt, the material falls two inches toward the discharge end with each revolution. Water is applied eighteen inches from the discharge end, providing for a 21 time dry and a 9 time wet mix before the material is discharged. The capacity of the machine is regularly from one to ten yards per hour, which may be increased to twenty yards per hour. It is equipped with 3 h. p. engine. Simplex Batch Mixer This machine is constructed after standard principles, the drum having special cast heads, with eight gauge boiler plate steel shell. It is equipped with regular or batch hopper, and made in either side or end discharge type. Capacity, eight cubic feet, dry mix. It is equipped with 4 h. p. gasoline engine. The Miles Manufacturing Co. Jackson^ Mich. A Baby Grand on Silo Work A Continuous Mixer and a Single Drum Hoist Combined HALL-HOLMES MFG. CO. 509 OAK STREET JACKSON, MICH. Operation Tlie illustra tion gives a fair idea of the opera- tion of a Baby Grand Mixer, with Single Hoist Drum, used on a silo job. The contrac- tors are Arnold Nagel & Co., Libertyville, 111. Description The Baby Grand Mixer is universally recognized as the best continuous concrete mixer for all purposes. It eliminates uncer- tainty. The first batch is the same as the last. It is built for hard service and the cost of upkeep is prac- tically nothing All working parts are completely enclosed in steel housing to protect them from grit and dirt. FariIiH(>« ^^ ^^" ^^® a silo or a concrete floor in the upper story of a building-, a hoist on your continuous mix- er enables you to pour a steady stream o f concrete. The hoist is mounted on the frame of the ma- chine and operates with or independent of the mixer. Testimonial 'Z^^l bought for my Baby Grand has given perfect satisfaction. Yours respectfully, J. L. Irving." General contractor and build- er of Area, Lake County, Illinois. ASK FOR CATALOG IDEAL Concrete Silo Block Equipment Ideal Concrete Machinery Co. 1304 Monmouth Ave. Windsor, Ont. Cincinnati, Ohio THE PRODUCT — We ave manufacturers of the famous IDEAL Concrete Block Machinery, both for silo work and straight walls. THE MACHINE — The illustration in the center of the page shows the IDEAL Model "A" Silo Block Ma- chine, which makes blocks for silos having a 5-foot, 7-foot or 9-foot radius. Any standard THE SILOS— The silos possess every advantage of monolithic construction with the addi- tional advant- ages of hollow wall construc- tion, which in- sures a more even temperature inside the silo .and is a great protection for ensilage in freez- ing weather. Ideal Silo Blocks have a very practical arrangement for placing the rein- forcing (see diagram). Every block is perfect and true to curvature inside and out and can be inspected before placing in the wall. LITERATURE — It will pay you to get our literature and specifications on the IDEAL Silo Block equipment. Send for them. 66 IDEAL » face design can be used. The machine is sim- ple in construc- tion and swift in operation. The same machine can also be used in making blocks for houses, barns, etc. The most reliable concrete machinery • VN _3 3 bo (LI "a a> X U -«-^ § ^-rf bo ^ 9 ^^4 •Si ^J CQ b^ >• CO S