Silos, especially the older ones, call to me. They’re often the most visible landmarks in rural areas and, to me, Silos are amongst the most graceful and symmetrically appealing architecture in rural Ontario.
The etymology of the word silo is the Greek word siros which was used to describe a pit or cellar for holding grain. First known use of the word was by Demosthenes in the fourth century BC, but it was eventually transmuted into the Latin sirus. The early Greeks used these subterranean vaults to keep their grain cool and dry.
The history of farm silos here in Ontario, traces back to the 19th century when local farmers began to transition from general farming — raising a limited amount of livestock and growing a variety of food just to feed their families — to concentrating their efforts on a specific branch of agriculture, such as dairy and beef operations. The increased herd sizes required greater amounts of fodder, and airtight storage for their silage to sustain their cattle and continue milk production through the long, cold winter months.
Some early silos were made of wood, which was prone to both rot and air leaks, the latter causing spoilage. To correct these problems, the concrete stave silo was developed. These silos are constructed using precast, interlocking concrete blocks, reinforced by exterior galvanized steel hoops.
And boy did they last! Many long after their companion barns had been razed. These relics serve as a monument to rustic farm life.
Eventually, Ontario Harvestore (now OHS Feeding and Storage) began building glass-lined steel silos which are airtight structures, minimizing mold. Forage is blown into the top of the steel silo through a pipe mounted on the side. The fodder then compacts under its own weight.
Beautiful, towering and eye-catching statuary, amongst rural folk, silos are often described as agriculture’s lighthouses.
Silos are tracked and cherished by artists and photographers alike for their powerful rural charm and their simple but dramatic beauty.
Paragons of form and function, it’s easy to admire farm silos. My own love for these iconic, handsome and magnificent structures embodies both their history and their aesthetic.
’Til next time, y’all…
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