314 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
with a machine; they had no grain except what was in the 
straw and only about one ton of hay. 
I speak of this, not to recommend the use of straw alone, 
but to show its value for feeding purposes. At times all kinds 
of stock eat it with avidity, either because it is palatable, or 
from desire of a change of food. Most every farmer has seen 
his cattle come from the pasture, or leave good hay to go and 
pull at an old straw stack, or to chew the butts of corn stalks. 
When the straw is thrown into the yard as mentioned above, 
if sheep are kept on the farm, they should be turned in first, 
as they will save all the grain that may be left; after they 
have picked it over, let in the other barn-yard stock, mules, 
colts and cattle, and if the weather is cold they will use it up 
effectually during the day. From the refuse, before hauling in 
fresh straw, an abundant supply of litter should be taken for 
the sheds, stables and pens, which will add materially to the 
comfort of the stock and increase the amount of manure made. 
By this manner of using the straw it will readily be seen 
that benefit is received in three ways: 
First. In feeding ; by which simple process, without any 
outlay for machinery, and but little extra labor, quite an in¬ 
crease could be made in the number of stock kept on nearly 
every farm in the state. 
Second. In bedding for the stock ; which used freely will 
effect a saving in the amount of food required, and will pro¬ 
mote the health, thrift and comfort of the animals. 
Third. In manure ; which though last is not the least value 
obtained. All will readily perceive that in addition to the di¬ 
rect value of the straw, itself as a fertilizer—which we think is 
under estimated by many farmers—all the drippings and liquids 
are saved. 
If the straw should accumulate in the yard beyond what is 
needed, when pulverized and beaten up it can from time to 
time be drawn out and spread on fall sowed grain, rye or 
wheat, thereby increasing the yield, if not preventing a total 
failure, and ensuring a good catch of timothy or clover where 
the land is to be seeded down. Or, it may be taken to the 
