THE TECHNOLOGIST. [May 1, 1864. 



448 

 ON THE STRAW PLAIT TRADE. 



EY A. J. TANSLEY. 



Bedfordshire has long been celebrated for tlie production of beautiful 

 wheat straws, suitable for the purposes of plaiting. The first straws 

 used for the making of plait in this country were grown in the neigh ■ 

 bourhood of Luton. Straw-growing now extends throughout the 

 southern part of the country, in the valleys and along the slopes of the 

 Chiltern Hills, and also in parts of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, 

 Oxfordshire, and Berkshire. The best soils are light but rich ; the stiff 

 clays, being unsuitable, will not produce good straws. Some soils that 

 would produce good straws, but not yield a fair crop of wheat, are only 

 cultivated for the latter, but those yielding both, prove very advan- 

 tageous to the farmer. The seed used is either that known as red lam- 

 mas or white chittim wheat, according to soil and aspect ; and is sown 

 broadcast or drilled, according to circumstances, and cultivation is car- 

 ried on in the usual maimer. When harvest draws nigh, great care is 

 required by the grower, it being necessary to commence cutting before 

 the flag of the straw falls. If very wet and stormy weather sets in, the 

 straws become rusted or spotted ; or, if opposite weather, dry and hot, 

 and the crop remains uncut, the straws change to red, and become 

 harsh. The first favourable opportunity is taken, extra hands are set 

 on, the crop is rapidly cut, laid out to dry before being tied into sheaves, 

 carted and stacked with all despatch as soon as ready. The result of 

 this attention is in general seen in obtaining bright and clear straws 

 that will repay the farmer for all his trouble. An acre of wheat will 

 yield in a good season five to eight loads of wheat, of five bushels to the 

 load, and from fifteen cwt. to a ton of cut straws, of the value of six 

 to eight pounds sterling the ton, clear of all expenses. 



The farmer disposes of his straw to men known as straw factors ; 

 these draw and cut the straws in his barn. Each sheaf is taken between 

 the knees, and the straws are drawn out a handful at a time ; the ears 

 are then cut off, and carefully laid together on one side. After a 

 sufficient number has been drawn and cut, large bundles are formed, 

 weighing 20 to 25lbs., and these are carted to the home of the factor, to 

 undergo another "cutting" process, which is generally performed by 

 boys, who earn from 2s. to 5s. per week. In the act of cutting each 

 straw, the sheath in which it is encased is taken off. Two joints 

 of the straw are preserved for plaiting, the other, or root joint, being 

 cast away. 



Straws thus cut are next subjected to the fumes of sulphur in a close 

 chest, " steamed," as it is termed, and afterwards sorted by hand into 

 proper sizes. Of late years sorting is performed by a hand-machine, 

 similar to a sieve ; the straws, being held in an upright position, fall 

 through holes of a uniform size. A final sorting takes place, when dis- 



