Acorn crib orcorncrib is a type ofgranary used to dry and storecorn. It may also be known as acornhouse orcorn house.[1]
After the harvest and while still on thecob, corn is placed in the crib either with or without thehusk. The typical corn crib has slats in its walls to allow air to circulate through the corn, both allowing it to dry initially and helping it stay dry. The slats expose the corn to pests, so corn cribs are elevated beyond the reach of rodents.
Although granaries had been used around the world in all cultures who grew grain for food,[2] corn cribs were first used byNative Americans and then quickly adopted by European settlers. Struggling European settlers often raided corn cribs for food. As a result, at least some Native groups abandoned the corn crib and buried food in caches.[3]
Corn crib designs vary greatly. They were originally made of wood, but other materials such as concrete have also been used. The basic corn crib consists of a roofed bin elevated on posts. Another typical early American design has walls slanted outward. Most of the larger designs have an open space in the middle for accessing corn and promoting airflow. In larger designs, this space was often used to store wagons. By the early 20th century, the term "corn crib" was applied to largebarns that contained many individual bins of corn.[4] Today a typical corn crib on many farms is a cylindrical cage of galvanizedwire fencing covered by ametal roof formed ofcorrugated galvanised iron.
