Off STRAW, ITS VALUE, AND USES. 391 



inches can never be u clean one), and that the expence of 

 the sickle, and of the scythe, are both incurred ; nor is 

 the object accomplished, for the cattle will pick anci cull 

 the best parts of the straw, without expence, if allowed 

 plenty of it.* The plan probably originated, from a wish 

 to save barn room ; but corn is kept to much more advan- 

 tage, in stacks. 



2. Oat-straw. Among the culmiferous grains, the straw 

 of the oat is considered to be the best fodder, when given 

 uncut. It is well known indeed, that oat-straw, during 

 the winter season, is almost universally given instead of 

 hay, in all the best cultivated counties of Scotland, during 

 the winter months, though that of peas and beans is cer- 

 tainly preferred where both are grown. The straw of the 

 naked oat, (provincially called pilez, or pillas), which is 

 cultivated in the western parts of Cornwall, is much finer 

 than any other sort, and is reckoned almost as good as 

 hay ;f and it is said, that the straw of the black, or small 

 oat, with a beard like the wild-oat, is not much inferior. 



It has been observed, that a scanty crop of oats some- 

 times yields good straw for feeding stock. The straw is 

 often mixed with grass, and indeed must resemble more 

 that substance, than when the crop is richer, with a strong- 

 er stem. It is by some farmers, reckoned nearly equal to 

 hay, as provender both for cows and horses. But it is a mi- 

 serable sign of the husbandry of any district, where such 

 an observation is generally applicable. 



In some districts, they cut oats in the straw, into a spe- 

 cies of fodder, which they call <e cut-meat." This is given, 



* Communication from Mr Dudgeon of Prora. 

 f Cormvall Report, p. 66. 



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