240 FIELD CROPS 



296. Uses of the Straw. Rye straw is of little value for 

 feeding, but its stiff, wiry texture, which makes it distaste- 

 ful to stock, makes it useful for various other purposes. It is 

 used in the manufacture of coarse straw articles, such as 

 cheap straw hats, strawboard, and paper, and for the stuffing 

 of horse collars. For the latter purpose, the grain is flailed 

 out to prevent the straw from being broken, though thrash- 

 ing machines have recently been devised which keep the 

 straw straight, and these may be substituted for the flail. 

 Rye straw is also much in favor as packing material for trees 

 and other nursery stock, and as bedding for live stock. 

 Breeders of fancy horses and of exhibition stock of other 

 kinds often pay extra prices for rye straw for bedding. 



LABORATORY EXERCISES 



1. Make a study and write a description of the rye plant, as has 

 already been done with the other cereals. 



2. If it is possible to obtain several samples, have them judged 

 and placed according to their relative value. 



SUPPLEMENTARY READING 



Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. II, pp. 559-563. 



Burkett's Farm Crops, pp. 209-213. 



Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 345-356. 



Wilcox and Smith's Farmers' Cyclopedia of Agriculture, pp. 102-104. 



