370 Of Straw. 



the advocates for the sparing system, it is maintained, that 

 cattle may be satiated with straw if served with it in too 

 great plenty, that their breathing on it injures its quality, 

 and that they do better, when straw is regularly dealt out 

 to them, which is more the case in years of scarcity, than in 

 plentiful seasons, when it is thrown before them in profu- 

 sion. On the other hand, it is contended, that straw is not 

 rich enough to produce satiety, though, when cattle are tied 

 up, it may be a good plan to give them but little at a time, 

 as any change must be acceptable to them. But cattle in a 

 straw yard, require fodder in profusion, that they may pick 

 out the best, and leave what they do not relish for litter. 

 More straw should be given, when the weather is wet, and 

 less when it is dry ; and care should be taken to proportion 

 the quantity of straw given, to the number of cattle in the 

 yard, in order that the dung may be properly prepared. 



The straw of some varieties of wheat, has a pith resem- 

 bling rushes. It has not yet been ascertained, whether the 

 straw of those kinds of wheat, be in any respect more valu- 

 able, than that of the common sorts ; but there seems little 

 doubt, that the straw of autumnal-sown wheat, is more harsh, 

 and less agreeable to cattle, than the straw of wheat sown 

 in the spring (* 33 ). 



It is remarked, that the straw of corn is weaker, in coun- 

 tries where the vegetation is rapid, as in Scotland, than in 

 the southern counties of England, where the growth is slower 

 and more regular ; and that the straw of barley, sown in 

 the month of March, or beginning of April, grows shorter 

 between the joints, and is much stiffer than the straw of the 

 same crop, sown in the latter end of April, or the beginning 

 of May, which latter crops, in wet seasons, generally fall 

 down, while the former stand. This is a circumstance which 

 is favourable to the practice of early sowing, in northern 

 climates. 



The ancients were accustomed to prepare their straw for 

 feeding stock, by keeping it for a considerable tinte sprink- 

 led with brine. It was then dried, rolled up in bundles, 

 and given to oxen instead of hay ( z34 ). The addition of 

 brine or salt, was certainly an excellent plan, and by a simi- 

 lar practice, the straw consumed in this country, might be 

 greatly improved. Now that the tax on salt is removed, this 

 plan ought to be generally adopted. 



2. Litter. The use of straw for littering or bedding stock, 

 answers two purposes: 1. It keeps the animals warm and 

 dry, and enables them to repose in comfort ; and, 2. By the 



