394 OP STRAW, ITS VALUE, AND USES. 



In Middlesex, barley-straw is principally used in pack- 

 ing, and by gardeners. 



3. Bean-straw. If well harvested, this straw forms a 

 very hearty and nutritious kind of food for cattle in the 

 winter season. Both oxen and horses, when duly supplied 

 with oats, in proportion to the work they have to execute, 

 thrive well on it; and the reduced parts, or what is term- 

 ed in England, the coving-chaff, is found valuable as a 

 manger food, for the labouring teams ; when blended 

 with other substances, it is probable, that in particular 

 cases, the stems might be cut into chaff with advantage : 

 but when made use of in these methods, it should be used 

 as fresh as possible after being threshed. A mixture of 

 "bean-straw, (which by itself is rather dry), and of peas- 

 halm, which is sweet and nourishing, makes excellent 

 fodder. 



But though this straw, more especially when mixed with 

 peas-halm, is of great value, as fodder to the working 

 stock of the farm, it does not suit well with riding-horses, 

 as it is apt to hurt their wind. In some horses, both bean- 

 straw, and peas-halm, are apt to occasion colic pains, or 

 the disease which is provincially called botts, probably oc- 

 casioned by flatulency. For this disease, about half an 

 ounce, or the fill of a table-spoon, of laudanum, is found 

 to be a good remedy.* 



This remedy for the colic in horses, has been used in East Lothian 

 for above thirty years. Mr Dudgeon of Prora recommends, if tlie horse 

 is not deemed in an inflammatory state, to mix half an ounce of lauda- 

 num, with four ounces of castor oil, and one ounce of sweet spirit of 

 nitre, with a choping of water-gruel, which he considers to be an effec- 

 tual remedy for the colic. Mr Clark of Mayfield states, from his own 

 experience, that in addition^to the laudanum, an ounce, or an ounce and 



