THE USES OF WHEAT PRODUCTS 169 



Wheat straw is fed to farm animals as a fod- 

 der. It is low in protein and fat and high in 

 carbohydrates. Its composition suggests that it 

 has much food value. This, however, is not the 

 case, since to digest and assimilate the nutrients 

 in the wheat straw, it takes practically as much, 

 energy as it furnishes. When other feed is scarce 

 a good deal of straw, however, is fed. Although 

 it has but little fattening value, it maybe valuable 

 in carrying stock through a period of famine. 



Dry Matter and Digestible Food Materials in 100 Pounds of 



Straw 



In general the chief value of the straw lies in 

 its use as a fertilizer and an increasing amount is 

 so used each year. The nitrogen, phosphoric 

 acid, and potash which it contains are the im- 

 portant constituents which growing plants need. 

 If purchased as commercial fertilizer, the amount 

 of these elements which is found in a ton of wheat 

 straw would cost about $2.50. On this basis the 

 straw from an average 4<>acre field is worth $100. 

 This is a much higher value than can be obtained 

 from any of the other uses that we have discussed. 



