Tlic Proper Office of Straw on a Fanii. 
.155 
stocked laiiji-} aid are aware how entirely success depends on 
attention to details ; the omission of any of these mars all. A 
comfortable lx»d is one of the most important. 
It may be asked, " Is it the proper use of straw, to be spread 
over the wet surface of a yard, to be soaked by rain, and then 
covered up by a fresh layer, and finally ' trodden ' into in- 
different duni^ ? " 
This question brings me to the subject of covered yards. The 
desire to spare straw led to the erection on my own farm, and on 
another under my direction, of sheds covering- a considerable 
space of yard, besides cattle-boxes. It would be quitting the 
present subject to expatiate on the various advantages derived 
from these arrangements ; I may observe, however, that one great 
advantage is the saving in straw which they effect. 
With regard to live stock, I have seen them thrive as well in 
warm, sheltered yards, open to the sun, and well supplied with 
litter, as in the best-appointed stalls, boxes, or covered yards. 
l)Ut the litter is wastefully used, the manure less valuable, and 
the amount of cartage greater. 
The quantity of rain falling in a year, on a yard 50 ft. by 40 ft., 
at 25 inches per annum, . amounts to 25,967 gallons, weighing 
nearly 116 tons. During heavy rain a large quantity runs off, 
carrying with it the soluble portions of the manure ; but after 
making due allowance for evaporation, there will remain manv 
tons absorbed by the straw, costing nearly Id. per ton if carted 
a quarter of a mile.* In covered yards the dung is concentrated ; 
it is never washed ; and cartage — -that costly item — is reduced 
to a minimum. 
The quantity of straw required to keep open yards in a com- 
fortable state, depends of course on the weather ; and also on the 
kind of food given to the stock. Turnips and green food increase 
tlie secretion of uiine, and litter is needed in proportion. 
In ordinary years, and in open yards, with sheds, 50 head of 
stock require, as litter, 300 tons of straw in nine months, from 
Sept. 1st to June 1st. This reckoning supposes ten horses to be 
kept in the stable, whose litter is thrown daily into the yards ; 
the rest being cows and fattening cattle. The amount of straw 
* This cost of 'd. per ton is thus estimated ; — 
s. d. 
2 men to fill 36 tons . . . . . . . . ..38 
5 horses and 4 carts (a trace-horse being employed 
to drag the load on to the heap) at 2s. 6d 12 6 
2 lads to drive .. .. .. .. .. ..18 
1 man at the heap .. .. .. .. ..2 2 
s. d. d. 20 0 
20 20 X 12 20 
