Of Straw. 363 



cultivated in Scotland. The weight calculated in Scotch 



stones of 22 Ibs. avoirdupois each. 



Stones. Ibs. 



Wheat 160 or 3520 



Beans and Perse, 130 2860 



Oats, 130 2860 



Barley, (') 100 2200 



Total, 520 or 11,440 



Average, 130 or 2860 



Crops of rye furnish much straw, having, in some cases, 

 yielded two tons per statute acre. But on the whole, about 

 1 ton 5 cwt. may be stated as the average of the kingdom ( ai6 ). 



2. Of the Value of the different kinds of Straw, and its total 



Amount. 



The intrinsic value of straw must vary materially, ac- 

 cording to its feeding properties ; the quantity of manure 

 into which it may be converted when used as litter ; its 

 fitness to be employed as thatch ; or its use in manufac- 

 tures ( ai? ); these being the chief purposes to which it is 

 applicable ; but, in general, the price principally depends on 

 its vicinity to large towns, where straw is wanted for litter, 

 which can be repurchased, when converted into dung, and 

 where other manures can also be obtained in its stead. 



At Bath, during the winters of 1791 and 1792, wheat 

 straw was so dear, that innkeepers, from a principle of eco- 

 nomy, used their worst hay, instead of straw, as litter. At 

 Oxford, in 1806, straw sold at from L.2, 2s. to L.4 per 

 load(* 18 ). But this article is commonly dearer in London 

 and its neighbourhood, than in any other part of the king- 

 dom. It is there sold by the load, which consists of 36 trus- 

 ses, of 36 Ibs. each, or 1 1 cwt. 2 qrs. and 8 Ibs. in all. The 

 price was formerly from 25s. to 40s. per load ; it afterwards 

 rose to L.3, 12s. (* 19 ), but in February 1817, had again 

 fallen to L.2. Even at that price, it produces above L.4 per 

 statute acre. 



In the vicinity of Edinburgh, wheat straw has sold for 

 9d. per stone (22 Ibs. avoirdupois to the stone), for litter ; 

 and calculating the quantity at 160 stone per English acre, 

 the amount is L.6. Oat straw sells nearly at the same 

 price, being reckoned more palatable and nutritious both for 

 cows and horses ; and the crops are often so weighty, that 

 it fetches L.7 per English acre. In Aberdeenshire, on the 



