404 OF STRAW, ITS vALUEj AND USES. 



often arrived at such a length, as to mix with the straw in 

 cutting the crop. This certainly improves the straw in 

 good harvests ; but as little clover as possible should be 

 cut with the straw, as it makes it very difficult to secure 

 the crop, unless it be left upon the ground for several days, 

 in what is called, t( The broad-band state" 



It is recommended, as a useful practice, to mix a propor- 

 tion of old dry straw, with after-math, or the second crop of 

 clover, or grass. The straw absorbs the natural juices of the 

 green herbage, and thereby becomes fresh and palatable 

 to cattle, the green herbage, being rendered dry by the 

 straw, will not easily heat, and the mixture is not only an 

 excellent food for cattle, but it affords a security against 

 the calamity of want of fodder, by the partial failure of a 

 crop.* Baron Hepburn approves much of the mixing up 

 any portion of the second cutting of clover that may be 

 left, with old oat-straw. This mode certainly creates some 

 extra expence^for the straw is first carried out to the field, 

 and then brought back in the mixture ; but this is the only 

 way of doing the work effectually, and the expence is am- 

 ply repaid. Dr Skene Keith observes, that care must be 

 taken, to mix the after-math with old straw only, and in 

 a very dry season, as the mixture is apt to rot, if expo- 

 sed to rain before it is put up in ricks, or in large coles. 

 From the risk attending it, the plan is not so much fol- 

 lowed as formerly, though in favourable seasons, more es- 

 pecially where straw abounds, it is certainly to be recom- 

 mended. 



In the consumption of straw as fodder, the inferior sorts 

 should first be made use of, and afterwards those of a bet- 

 ter kind. Where straw is used in feeding, the stock should 



* Alton's Survey of Ayrshire, p. 269. 



