The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-06
The Value of Straw.
Philadelphia Record

Philadelphia Record
Straw is regarded as valueless on the majority
Of farms-it is accused of robbing the soil Of
mineral matter in excess, and the conflicting
claims can hardly be reconciled, Straw really
takes from the soil valuable fertalizing material
and also returns it to the soil when composted
or fed to stock allowance OF course being made
for that which is used in the increased growth
of the animal
In every one hundred pounds of straw there
are from four 10 five pounds Of ash. the ash con
tanning potash, soda. nagnesia lime. phosphorlc
acid, Suphullc acid silica, chlorine and sulphur.
No nitrogen is found as it is driven off when re
ducins the straw to ash. but when the straw de
composes in the compost heap the traces ofnltro-
gen, with d portion of carbon. are absorbed and
partially retained Ofwheat straw the proper
ton Of potash is 0. 40 per cent while bean straw
contains of potash as large q quantity as 2.99
per cent but while the bean straw is thus rich
or in potash than that Of wheat, the latter con
taius seven times as much silica, which. though
not really considered valuable As fertilizer. as
it always exists plenJifuy Is III q condition to
be more readily appropriated by plants when re
turned TO the soil in the straw. Barley CON
tairs a larger proportion of potash than
oats, but oats require greater
quantity of soda. and vet those two minerals are
per cent OF potash. while peas contain LOT per
cent. This Indicates that corn fodder requires
more potash than peas and less than beans
which contain more than double the proportion
III peas his Is contrary I'd Iite general
sition that peas and beans feed alike the same
matter az they are shown in noticing the pro
portions of lime required by each. 10 be rather
dissimilar. Bean straw, which eXcclS in potash,
is considered lime crop also but while the crop
of bean straw per one hundred pounds contains
l31 per cent. Of lime, the percentage Of lime in
pea straw is ] So thus demonstrating that the
one prefers potash and the other lime. This diff
ference between peas and beans exists III the
seeds also as the beans contain more potash
than peas, though the lime exists in each III
nearly the same quantity.
Oats are supposed to be exhaustinS to the soil.
but while the straw is really richer in potash
than that of wheat, the grain Of wheat exceeds
the grain Of oats largely Ill nearly all the mineral
elements, while the grain of buckwheat is de
hcicnt III nearly everything that composes the
ash as compared with wheat
As straw thus possesses value according to the
amount Of mineral matter ii extracts from the
soil, il is plain that whenever it is sold or re-
| moved from the farm it carries away certain
proportion of the elements derived during the
process of growth, and farm can be impovcr-
ished as easily by the removal Of products that
are considered valueless as by the removal Of
those that find ready sale in market. 1t may
correctly be claimed that there Is nothing pro
duced but which may be put to purpose
Straw should be utilized for feeding, il is con
sdered excellent when fed III connection with
grain; and when used for bedding it should be
cut fine. in order to admit Of rapid decomposi-
ton, The whole stalks being composed largely
Of silica, do not become fit for plant food until
after great length of time, but when cut into
pieces the moisture and heat act quickly, and
soon disintegrate it. All kinds of straw are
therefore valuable and if several kinds are mixed
together in the same compost heap q better fer
tihZing material VIII be obtained than from any
one KIND separately