The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-08-09
THE PRESS.
FARM AND HOUEHOLD.
strnXN for Feeding Cattle.

In view of the enlarged demand for cattle
food In supplying the prospective increase in
the domestic and foreign trade for beet, and
also in consideration of the fact that our hay
crop is short in many sections, it becomes
desirable to investigate the economy and
practcability of the use of straw, as sup
Elementary food for animals.
Not many years since the agricultural
world considered straw as almost worthless
for feeding purposes, notwithstanding il had al
ways been used as cattle food in all the warm
Eastern countries, and that even Spain, poor
example as she is in anything progressive,
had imported heavy machinery from Eng
land for straw-pulping, to render this article
soft and silky, and, in fact, to duly prepare it
for animal digestion. Within the past few
years straw has been used for feeding large
ly by the most intelligent and successful
feeders in England, who are fully convinced.
after continued experiments, that the most
economical use of food rich in albuminous
matter is in connection with straw or other
materials deficient in this element
The straw OF the cereals, when properly
harvested, contains from twenty to forty
per cent, of undoubled nutIiment. As COM
pared with white turnips the value of oat
straw is very considerable, since while the
former contains but little over one per cent
of hesh-formers and less than five per cent.
fat-formers, the straw includes four per cent,
fesh.formers and over thirteen per cent. fat
formers. Again, whilst the amount of woody
fibre in turnps is only about three per cent
it constitutes over sixty per cent. of the
straw. In comparison with hay, oat straw
contains nearly thirty per cent. as great a
quantity of fatty matter, with over seventy
per cent. as much of fesh-forming constf-
tuents; the straw also contains over double
the amount of woody fibre, which latter ee-
ment, when the straw is cut at the proper
time, German chemists have discovered con-
tains forty to sixty per cent. of its bulk
capable of assimilation by Illuminating ami
mails.
If straw is allowed to over-ripen a large
proportion of its nutritive principle is lost,
without corresponding advantage to the
grain, since if allowed to stand after the up
per portion of the stem has changed from
green to yellowish color. the kernel also
loses portion of its nitrogenous and valua-
BILE constituents. Pea-haulm is the most
nutritious; next oat straw, then wheat straw
barley straw, and finally bean straw without
the pods. The average straw contains. ap-
proximately, one part of oil, four parts flesh
formers, ten parts gum, sugar and other fat
formers. with thirty parts of digestible fibre.
Since straw is relatively deficient in the flesh
forming principles and aboundS in tatformers,
if there is added due proportion of some
substance very rich in fiesh-formers and oil,
the compound will become valuable
substance for feeding. Linseed meal is
best adapted for this purpose, since it con-
tains twenty-four per cent. of fesh-formers.
thirty-fine per cent. OF very bland oil and
twenty-four per cent. OF gum, sugar and
muciage.
The maDurial value of straw is very in
significant, and is chiefly useful as an absorb
emit; it is worth more for feeding than for the
compost heap or than for sale at prevailing
low prices; TO certain extent it is useful for
bedding purposes, although in England,
its feeding value is fully recognized and APP
preciated, spared floors, or those made OF
joists or boards, with intermediate openings,
are used in cattle baros, avoiding the neces-
sity of straw or other bedding. As cattle food
straw should be run through he hay cutter.
chopped fine, and its value is largely increased
by soaking in water, steaming, cooking or fer
mentiDg. Immense quantities of straw are
fed out in England, cut fine and mixed with
sliced roots, linseed meal or grain; all the
bean straw is consumed. and after being cut
up, moistened and softened, is considered of
value equal to two-thirds that OF hay.
Straw is OF much less value when fed
alone than when used along with highly
nitrogenized foods, but when mixed with
small quantities OF rich food like oil-meal.
Doou'uc VI II an, espdClaliy diter SLeam-
ing, will give far better results than such ex-
pensiye food would alone; as matter of
bulk and firmness it assists in the process of
digestion and absorption. When it is intend
ded to utilize straw as food, the crop should
be cut somewhat earlier than usual, though
not to interfere with the ripening of the
grain. While European farmers have long
since adopted the use of straw as cattle food.
and consider it great waste 10 use it even as
bedding or as manure, the subject is well
worthy the careful and intelligent trial of the
American farmer, at least in moderate way.
until the general public in this country NAV
become as thoroughly convinced of its value
as is the British farmer.