FOOD FROM CURED FODDERS 223 



showers in succession but with an interval between them, 

 will so lower the palatability of the straw that it becomes of 

 little account for feeding. The nutrients, as with clover 

 hay thus exposed, are also measurably lost. Pea straw has 

 special adaptation for being fed to sheep which are so fond 

 of it that previous to the lambing season good pea straw 

 may be the only fodder required. It may also form the bulk of 

 the fodder fed to cattle that are being carried through the 

 winter, and a part of that fed to milch cows. Horses also 

 are fond of it, but the dust which frequently accumulates on 

 the plants while growing and sometimes in curing renders it 

 more or less unsuitable for the prolonged feeding of horses. 

 Machine threshing also lowers the feeding value since it 

 breaks up the straw and removes many of the leaves. 



Bean straw is possessed of high relative feeding value, 

 but the yield of straw to the acre is proportionately small. 

 As much of this product consists of leaves and pods, the 

 proportion rejected when fed is not usually large. The 

 straw is also more commonly well saved as in order to 

 insure good quality in the grain, it is necessary to harvest 

 promptly when mature and to protect the crop as far as pos- 

 sible from injury by rain. When available, bean straw 

 stands high in favor as a fodder for sheep, and it may also 

 be fed with decided benefit to cattle. The earth that some- 

 times adheres to the product is an objection to feeding it to 

 horses. The straw of the horse bean is considerably used 

 in feeding live stock in Scotland and some other countries, 

 but in England it is not so commonly fed. 



Straw of good quality and well cured is more valuable 

 for feeding than hay, coarse and ill cured. When fodders 

 are scarce and dear, the harvesting of straw fodders with a 

 view to conserve their good feeding properties is well wor- 

 thy of attention. It is frequently admissible to use certain 

 varieties of straw as principal portion of the fodder fed in 

 order that hay may be sold when the price is dear. But 

 when straw is made to supplement hay, more grain must be 

 fed when grain is required. 



