92 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTIO NM F 



(hiced from the arable land of each fanrr is eaten in the 

 succeeding winter by the stock ; and, as few farmers- 

 have mare than enough for their cattle, little or none 

 can be afforded as litter for their stables and farm-yards. 

 In severe winters, of long continuance, a scarcity of 

 straw for ^heir cattle is frequently experienced. This 

 proves that most farmers in Scotland keep a greater 

 number of cattle during summer than they ought pru- 

 dently to calculate on maintaining through the winter. 

 It is very unusual in Scotland to grow hay but for the 

 purpose of sale. The working horses are fed with oat 

 straw until seed time ; when, as an article of luxury, 

 they are supplied with pease or bean straAv, the barley 

 straw being allotted to the cows and young stock.. 



There are many who rent small farms, still more 

 economical in the consumption of their straw and fod- 

 der. The whole of the straw, of every kind, is by them 

 given to their horses ; whilst their cows, and neat cattle, 

 are exclusively fed with the coarsest parts of the straw 

 rejc<5^ed by the horses, broken and bruised by their feet, 

 and well drenched by their urine ; a sort of food which 

 'loes not appear very j)alatable, and which, although con- 

 trary 



