OF STRAW, ITS VALUE, AND USES. 399 



and fed on straw and turnips, and a fourth on hay and 

 turnips. 



When the grain distillery was permitted in Scotland, 

 great numbers of cattle were fed on the refuse; and, twice 

 a-day, straw was given them, along with the grains and 

 wash. It was found, that without straw, they would not 

 feed so well,* not being so well enabled to chew the cud* 

 The London distillers, however, found straw so dear, that, 

 in genera!, they preferred hay. The advantage of giving 

 straw, when cattle are fed either on turnips, or the refuse 

 of the distillery, is not so much to be attributed to the 

 nutritive qualities of the straw itself, as that it encourages 

 the animal to eat more of the richer sorts of food, than he 

 would otherwise be inclined to consume.'!* 



2. Horses. In regard to horses, even in the more im- 

 proved districts of Scotland, they seldom get any hay for 

 three months in winter ; but with straw, and the corn, 

 which must always be given them, whether they get straw 

 or hay, they not only plough three-fourths of an English 

 acre per day, or work from seven to eight hours at other 

 work, but are actually full of flesh, and vigour, when sow- 

 ing commences. They must, however, have hay, instead 

 of straw, when the severe labour of spring takes place. 

 When farmers horses are so much reduced in condition, 

 as to be unable to go through the severe labour of spring, 

 it is owing to their not having got a sufficient quantity of 

 corn.J Peas and bean-straw certainly make the best fod- 



* Communication from John Bald, Esq. Carse-bridge distillery. 

 J- Communication from Mr Dudgeon of Prora. 

 In Berwickshire, straw is very commonly given to horses in the 

 winter months ; but there is generally an allowance of Swedish turnips, 



