OF STRAW, ITS VALUE, AND USES. 397 



begin to fall t off, or the pods to form, and the whole 

 converted into hay. Tares require a great deal of sun to 

 cure, and rain is very injurious to them. It would be a 

 good plan, to mix them with dry straw, which would im- 

 prove both. Three tons of tare-hay, which it is said has 

 been produced in Middlesex, are worth from 12 to 15 

 guineas. In more distant places, where meadow-hay sells 

 from L.2, 10s. to L.3 per load, the tares will be worth 

 from L.7, 10s. to L,9 per statute acre. 



Rules regarding the Consumption of Straw in feeding. 



The rules to be observed regarding the consumption of 

 straw in feeding stock, relate to, 1. Cattle; 2. Horses; 

 3. Sheep ; and, 4. To various particulars of a miscellane- 

 ous nature. 



1. Cattle. Straw is much used in the feeding of cattle 

 in Scotland, and there can be no doubt, that oxen will feed 

 well on straw and turnips, if the straw be good. It is re- 

 commended, in all cases, that for a month or six weeks 

 after a bullock is put to turnips, straw only should be given 

 with them : But in the more advanced stages of fatten- 

 ing, hay is so much superior, that it should if possible be 

 supplied. It is certain, at the same time, that hay is a very 

 expensive food for stock, arid ought to be saved as much 

 as possible where it can prudently be saved. It is well 

 known that a full allowance of turnips and straw, during 

 the winter months, will fatten better, than a small allow- 

 ance of hay in place of the straw. In the spring, hay, 

 which retains its nutritive juices longer than straw, is much 

 more valuable, both for fattening stock and feeding horses; 

 and it is therefore the practice in Scotland, to reserve hay 



