170 



THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



Straw that is to be applied as fertilizer serves 

 a double purpose. It is first used as bedding for 

 stock and is then returned to the soil as a manure. 

 Experiments upon lands that have been fertilized 

 in this manner have usually shown a decided in- 

 crease in crop yields. 



Wheat straw is also used in a number of manu- 

 factured articles ; 

 for example, 

 mattresses, door- 

 mats, paper, and 

 hats. S t raw 

 pulp for the 

 manufacture of 

 paper is also an 

 important article 

 of commerce. 

 The production 

 of wood pulp, 

 however, has 

 lessened this use of the straw, since the wood 

 pulp is cheaper and is more easily utilized. The 

 manufacture of straw pulp is now practically con- 

 fined to Germany. It is used for the purpose 

 of making cheap printing paper harder and more 

 opaque. Manufacturers of straw hats likewise 

 depend largely upon wheat straw for their raw 

 material. The finest straw for this purpose comes 

 from the vicinity of Tuscany in Italy. There the 



FIG. 79. After the wheat has been cut, 

 weeds and grasses spring up in the stubble, afford- 

 ing autumn pasture. 



