The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-05-09
WHEAT AND OTHER STRAW.

Many farmers fail TO appreciate wheat
straw at its value for feeding purposes when
cut at The right time, and properly protected
from the weather. At a recent agricultural
meeting in England this subject was dis.
cus.ed with marked ability. As We have no
rape cake or linseed meal to feed with cut
straw, We should use corn meal, or the oil
cake from cotton seed. The following are
the remarks Of the last speaker on the occa-
sion above referred to;
MIR. w. {. Spooner observed that the only
objection there was against wheat straw was
that it was harder ot digestion than hay.
This was, however, a subject which was well
worthy Of being fully debated. One Of the
worst uses Of straw that could be adopted
was TO use il as fuud in the straw-yard, un-
aided by roots or other articles. While
straw vas within five per cent. in starch,
gum, and sugar, compared with hay, il was
lamentably deficient in albuminous natter
II contained only 0ne.serenih as compared
with hay and 10 use il in the stfaw-yard in
this way would therefore deprive il of its
nitrogen, which was applicable as a munure !;
and by treading the straw without feeding
animals with il. the farmer lost the thirty
five per cent Of feeding properties which It
contained, viz: the starch, gum, and sugar,
which we're useless as manure. He had
fund by calculation that one hundred pounds
ol straw and twenty five pounds of rape
cake would supply within fraction Of the
same amount Of albuminous matter, and
rather mnre gum, sugar and starch than the
very best meadow hay and the proportion
vas as y. al. against Is. 2. in the advantage
gained by using straw and rape.eake instead
oi hay. BY adapting Mr.. Blundell's plan
they improved the t-producing capabi'i-
ties Of the county; although corn might be
low 10 price il was reasonable TO expect that
meat would remain high and il mdnniac.
lures and commerce fnurished they would
develope the power and the means to con.
sumo meat among the people. Straw as q
manure was more valuable on the light
chalky soils than it was upon the leans and
clay. He believed there was more straw
wasted on the upland than on the low lying
farms. lie had received a communication
from noTsetshire in which friend oi his
said straw sh0uld be cut little heiore II is
quite ripe, because the ch1Rce Of having 4
few green oats was countcrbalaneed ty the
advantage Of better quality Of straw when
cut early rather Than when too ripe. Mr..
Spooner then entered into series Of caleu-
laiiuns, ard IN continuation said. If il could
be proved that the sgrieulturists could
consume large proportion Of straw which,
IL ii we're merely ,rodden under the animal,
Was worth as manure only s., or o.. a ton,
by using il ss cattle food they could make il;
worth 25s. or S0s.'a ton; the subject was
worthy of their deepest reflection.
The subjoined propositions, moved by Mr.
Bundell. and seconded by Mr.. VIC. spoon.
er, we're carried:
/. That il j. The opinion Of this meeting
that straw mas be employed in The fat,ing OF
animals 10 iar greater extent that has hiih.
ertn been the case.
:. That the frequent practice Of keeping
straw in large heaps. strewing il wastefally
over open yards. or keeping store cattle on
II alone. are all strongly to be condemned.
3. Thairapr cake, with or without mode.
rate quantity oi roots, will supply most eco.
nomically the elements III which straw j.
mos, dciicient aud that lin,secd.cake ur
meal, at somewhat greater cost. will with
roots and straw supply everything required
lur the lOud 1t lalting animals.