What ever happened to the old Corn Crib? Recently on Flea Market Gardening, there has been some discussion about converting an abandon corn crib into a gazebo. This was followed by questions about what a corn crib was used for and where one could be found. A reader stated corn cribs were used by farmers to store newly harvested corn where it could be kept dry while it cured. I expect I knew that when I was a kid. However I believed our corncrib was built for my convenience and was, for many months of the year, served as my playhouse. Our corn crib was approximately the same size as two hen houses (yes, I know that is vague, but hen houses are another story) and was built with two by fours cut from area post oak on our farm. It was in fact a large wooden cage which stood on sandstone foundation consisting of a floor with large cracks and walls made of carefully spaced slats. The purpose was to hold the corn, ears and all, where the air could circulate and the grain would stay dry. If any of the corn was undersized, a long suffering cow could stand outside the crib and suck and nibble at the crack until a cob of the right size could be teased out of the stack. If you have spent any time at Wal-Mart going through the $5 movie bin, you have an understanding of the process. Bit by bit, throughout the winter, the corn was hauled off to be ground into cow feed and as the crib cleared, my playhouse would emerge. Furnishing for the playhouse consisted of whatever I could snitch from the house and whatever I could convert from things I found in the barn and garage. Thusly, gunny sacks full of corn husks or straw could be covered with the skirt of one of Mom’s old house dresses for a couch and empty tin cans could be used for pots and pans. Cracked dishes were always of value and I could usually find a cat willing to live with me out there. If there was a blowing rain, however, the crib would get wet, so I had to refrain from taking pictures or books out to decorate. I always considered myself to be in hiding when I took up residence in the crib. I don’t suppose it ever occurred to me since it was a “see through” house, everyone knew where I was and what I kept there. I don’t know what kind of corn cribs one can find on the farm these days. I sure liked the one we had. Every kid should have one to hang out in.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 21:39:28 +0000
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