This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 Excerpt: ... pitch in all directions toward the center, and if necessary, an outlet to a line of drain tile should be put in. Outlets are not usually provided in silo floors, but in a few instances silos have failed because of the pressure of a large quantity of water accumulated under unusual conditions, with no provision for escape. In such cases the stress on the walls may reach two or three times that usually imposed by the silage. Although the majority of silos are not provided with a drain, it is undoubtedly a desirable feature. The top of the drain should be protected from accumulations on the silo floor, by a small wire mat. A 4-inch or 6-inch drain tile will be sufficient. M The floor should be made of i: 2 5 concrete. A smooth finish is not considered necessary. Monolithic Concrete Silo Walls Forms.--There are a number of commercial forms on the market for the construction of the walls of monolithic concrete silos. However, homemade forms are perfectly satisfactory when properly made, and a number of excellent silos have been built from such forms. The homemade forms have the inner part made of segments or ribs made of 2-inch by 12-inch plank, on the circumference of which are nailed a number of i-inch matched floor boards, 3 feet long; this is covered with lightweight galvanized iron. The sections thus made are usually eight in number, all together making a complete circle, and are fastened together when erecting the forms by cleats of 2 X 6 stuff. The outer forms are made of heavy galvanized sheet steel of the same width as the inner forms. Figures 75 and 76 illustrate the details of the construction of these forms. In handling the inner forms great care must be observed in keeping the inside surface of the silo perfectly smooth. Horizontal "step...