380 OF STRAW, ITS VALUE, AND USES. 



the root-end of the straw, makes a great addition to the 

 dunghiU.f 



It is certainly desirable, however, notwithstanding these 

 diversities, to be enabled to form some general idea, of the 

 average produce, in straw, of each kind of grain, and the 

 average weight produced by all the different crops. But 

 owing to the little attention that has hitherto been paid to 

 the subject, and the scantiness of authorities, the weight 

 cannot be ascertained with the accuracy that could be 

 wished, though it is probable that the following estimates 

 are not far from the truth. 



Mr Young informs me, that he has seen a calculation, 

 from which it would appear, that the average produce, in 

 straw, of all the different crops, stubble included, may be 

 calculated at 1 ton 7 cwt. per English acre, but that is re- 

 jecting the weaker soils. 



It is calculated by Mr Brown of Markle, that on an 

 average of years, the produce of straw, in good land, and 

 under tolerable management, will be nearly in the follow- 

 ing proportion, per English acre : 



Stones. 



Wheat, - 160 



Beans and peas, - - ISO 



Oats, ISO 



Barley, - 100 



Total, 520 



-J- Mr Middleton remarks, that it is the custom in Middlesex, to cut 

 the crop close to the ground, which secures an increased quantity of 

 straw, worth perhaps 7 s. per acre. Middlesex Report, p. 172. 



It is generally remarked, that there is more straw when the crop is cut 

 down by the scythe, than by the sickle. 



