Of Straw. 373 



economy, and the soil kept in a fertile state, in a great de- 

 gree, from its own resources. 



3. Thatching. For many ages straw was the common 

 material for rpofing farm-buildings and cottages, and was 

 formerly made use of even in towns ; but the risk of fire, (to 

 which whole villages have fallen a sacrifice from a single 

 spark) ; the loss sustained by vermin, which shelter them- 

 selves in the straw ; the expense of additional rates of in- 

 surance on thatched buildings, from Is. to even 3s. per cent, 

 in cases where they were considered to be doubly hazard- 

 ous ; the increased difficulties of making a roof with straw 

 thrashed by mills, and consequently in a broken state (* 4 ); 

 the practice of covering buildings with slate or tiles ; and 

 the greater demand for manure, in consequence of the im- 

 proved state of agriculture, have all contributed to diminish 

 the quantity of straw used in thatching. This is a fortunate 

 circumstance for agriculture, as little straw can be spared 

 from litter, even for feeding stock, and still less for the 

 covering of houses. On this subject, Mr Young very justly 

 observed, that thatched roofs lessened the quantity of dung 

 on a farm, to such an extent, that they ought to be univer- 

 sally prohibited. Fen reeds, and in mountainous districts, 

 heath, may be used, when slates or tiles cannot be had on 

 reasonable terms. 



In the more northern districts of Scotland, straw is mix- 

 ed with clay, and thus a plastered roof is made, which con- 

 sumes but little straw, and is not liable to take fire. But it 

 is heavy, and requires stronger supports, on which more 

 durable materials might be placed. Walls of clay, mixed 

 with straw, are not unusual in several districts of England 

 and Scotland, for gardens, cottages, and even farm-houses. 



4. Miscellaneous uses of Straw. There are few articles, 

 which are applied to a greater variety of purposes than straw. 

 Besides the uses above mentioned, it is employed for cover- 

 ing hay and corn stacks ; twisted into ropes, for draining ; 

 mixed with sea-weed in a compost ; burnt for the pur- 

 pose of obtaining potash ; manufactured into paper ; 

 used in bottoming of chairs, stuffing collars for working- 

 horses, and beds for the lower orders ; packing glass, 

 china, and earthenware; and the straw of grain, and of 

 wheat in particular, in the manufacture of hats, bonnets, 

 trinkets, and various ornaments, by which numbers, who 

 might otherwise find it difficult to subsist, are furnished with 

 the means of employment. 



