Show CAL FA aboveground above ground farm silo by IV 3 dryden farm editor availability ot of cash labor and materials will largely determine the type of silo to be constructed the farmer must decide whether durability and benefits will warrant high expenditures in building any aboveground above ground grod silo several factors must be considered the lumber must be well matched tree free from large knots and doors fit tightly to in order that the walls be afir airtight tight while octagonal silos are sometimes built they are not recommended except for urgent financial reasons the walls wall should be smooth and withstand considerable lateral strain without cracking or bulging the exterior wall surfaces should be protected against weathering the foundations must be large enough with sufficient clent strength to support the load and avoid uneven settlement and cracking silos must be built on well drained locations eb f A chute to facilitate feeding and a safe ladder should be included As silage should be removed at the rate of 2 to 3 inches a day the diameter will depend upon the quantity of silage to be fed daily the height of the silo should not be less i proper starting of silo Is important than twice nor more than three and one half times the diameter foundations will only stand up well if 11 they extend below the frost line and are erected on well drained soil in cold climates it Is well to extend tour four or five feet below the surface in the warmer climates two feet will be sufficient reinforcement of silos Is important in order to withstand the pressures exerted by the silage and by high winds the amount of reinforcing in needed depends on the size of the silo and the crop stored tests made by the USDA gave an M M complete tae stave silo ilia with chute average horizontal pressure ol of 11 pounds per square foot per foot of depth of corn silage which is too low for silage of sunflower pea vine hay atad and molasses or very high moisture corn while a roof is not essential it Is desirable it adds to the stability appearance and life of the silo retards regards freezing reduces spoilage by keeping rain and snow out discourages birds irom from feeding on the silage and makes the work of removing more agreeable A trap door in the root roof will admit the silage carrier or blower pipe the filling door should be easily accessible ces sible from the ladder or chute gambrel dome and half pitch roofs are most economical of space and provide more headroom tor for maxi mum filling in most locations it Is advisable to provide lightning protection the type ot of material whether lumber plywood concrete cement blocks bricks or metal will depend upon available supply amount of money to be invested and local materials available Z type at ioor conatta aloa ROOF construction details of silo blin root Z waa tb M klell method of laying off 00 the foundation tor for a silo |