The Evolving History of the Agricultural Silo: Hay Storage in the New World

By Cynthia G. Falk
Published on March 17, 2015
1 / 7

Reconstructed hay barrack, Herkimer Home State Historic Site, near Little Falls, Herkimer Country. With a roof that could be raised or lowered, hay barracks protected the hay they covered from the worst weather.
Reconstructed hay barrack, Herkimer Home State Historic Site, near Little Falls, Herkimer Country. With a roof that could be raised or lowered, hay barracks protected the hay they covered from the worst weather.
2 / 7

Hay barrack design, 1867. Although hay barracks are associated with Dutch settlement, they continued to be recommended and used on New York farms long after the colonial period.
Hay barrack design, 1867. Although hay barracks are associated with Dutch settlement, they continued to be recommended and used on New York farms long after the colonial period.
3 / 7

Harpoon-style hay fork, 1880.
Harpoon-style hay fork, 1880.
4 / 7

Hay press, 1855. Although baling hay did not immediately become a common practice, hay presses, for compacting loose hay, were available before the Civil War.
Hay press, 1855. Although baling hay did not immediately become a common practice, hay presses, for compacting loose hay, were available before the Civil War.
5 / 7

Hay bales in white plastic wrap, near Schenevus, Otsego County. Large, cylindrical hay bales wrapped in plastic dot farmers' fields like giant marshmallows.
Hay bales in white plastic wrap, near Schenevus, Otsego County. Large, cylindrical hay bales wrapped in plastic dot farmers' fields like giant marshmallows.
6 / 7

Haystack, The Farmers' Museum, Cooperstown, Otsego County. While the outer hay might be damaged by moisture, in a properly constructed haystack the interior hay can remain in good condition.
Haystack, The Farmers' Museum, Cooperstown, Otsego County. While the outer hay might be damaged by moisture, in a properly constructed haystack the interior hay can remain in good condition.
7 / 7

In “Barns of New York: Rural Architecture of the Empire State,” author Cynthia G. Falk provides historical, cultural, and economic context for understanding the rural landscape. The evolving practices and architectural advances of early American farmers give unique insight into our shared agricultural history.
In “Barns of New York: Rural Architecture of the Empire State,” author Cynthia G. Falk provides historical, cultural, and economic context for understanding the rural landscape. The evolving practices and architectural advances of early American farmers give unique insight into our shared agricultural history.

Effective hay and silage storage was essential to European settlers in the New World, where there was great demand for animal feed and the terrain was well suited for hay production. Corresponding additions to the farm landscape, including various silo forms, were the product of experimentation by early American farmers to increase the longevity of harvested grains. In Barns of New York: Rural Architecture of the Empire State, author Cynthia G. Falk explores the evolution of rural architecture and agricultural technology including advancements in hay cultivation and storage. The following excerpt is from Chapter 3, “From Haystacks to Silos.”

Storing Hay Throughout History

Hay barracks were introduced in the New World by Dutch settlers to New Netherland, and the form continued to be used even after the English took control of New York. Used to cover stored hay, these simple open-sided structures consisted of four or more wooden posts supporting a roof, usually of thatch, which could be raised or lowered to protect hay stacked beneath. Some hay barracks had a permanent location on a farm; they might have a stone foundation or posts set into the ground. Other barracks were portable, set on skids so they could be moved to wherever they were needed.

The initial use of hay barracks is associated with New York’s Dutch settlers, but the form was adopted by New Yorkers of other ethnicities as well. Hay barracks were erected from Long Island to western portions of the state. They were most common from the seventeenth through the early nineteenth centuries, although contributors to the agricultural press advocated for their construction as late as the second half of the nineteenth century, and some older structures were still in use into the twentieth century.

Hay, the grass crop the barracks protected, can be grown on hilly terrain and in heavy soils that are not well suited for grain or other crops. Before the advent of the automobile and the decline of horse-drawn vehicles, hay was harvested throughout New York State, with high concentrations in the Hudson Valley to provide feed for horses and other animals in the city. More recently, hay production has fallen off in the region surrounding New York City. The counties with the most acreage in hay are in the Adirondacks and Southern Tier, while the highest average yields per acre are found on the rich farmland of western and central New York.

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-803-7096