CHAFF AND STRAW.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2033, 30 August 1880, Page 4

CHAFF AND STRAW.

It is a pleasing fact (says the “ Adelaide Observer”) that very many farmers are now awakening to the value of the straw and chaff which hitherto have been looked upon as an encumbrance upon their farms. We hear nearly every day of some fresh departure from the old practice of putting the firestick to the chaff heap and into the stubble field, notice that large heaps of both straw and chaff are being laid up for future consumption by the live stock on various homesteads. The last instance is that of a dairy farmer near Biverton, who, not content with the produce of bis own fields, has obtained leave to remove the chaff and straw from the fields of some of his neighbours who have not ?-et learned to “ appreciate their privieges,” but who, doubtless, will open their eyes pretty widely when they learn from the appearance of their neighbour’s cattle what the value of the material would have been to themselves in keeping up the strength and condition of their horses, cows, and sheep. The value of wheat straw lim been estimated at 85 per cent, as compared with best wheaten hay at 100; but it must be borne in mind that the analysis was made with straw from a wheat stack, and not with aamples which had been allowed to stand in the field long after the wheat had been •tripped off the straw. It is highly improbable that straw from a South Australian wheat-field would possess so high a nutritive value unless reaped or gathered ns soon as the grain was ripe. The chaff possesses a greater value than the straw, but we are unable to state to what extent at present. Probably its value is even higher than that of most qualities of hay. There is some little difficulty in the way of feeding wheat husks or chaff to farm animals, -the husks getting into their eyes, &0., and patting them to inconvenience ; but this can be obviated by damping it, and its food value can be greatly added to by mixing with it a jelly made of linseed, which by itself would be too rich. The linseed jelly is made by boiling three pounds of ground linseed in -five gallons of water. The chaff or straw is mixed with this until all the jelly is absorbed. A feeding-trough is necessary for this process, but the extra cost and trouble of providing this will very soon be recouped to the farmer by the increased weight and condition of his animals. An objection has been urged against saving the straw on farms—that the trouble and expense of carting it to the rmkyard are too great. But where is the necessity for carting it all into one place ? Any corner of the field or in the centre will contain a large heap of straw, and up to a certain time the farm «nimala may be allowed access to it. If the straw and chaff are gathered into a corner the value of the food to the farmer will be far greater than that of the grain which could have been raised upon the area ; and a fence put across would keep the animals from trespassing upon the cultivated land, whilst the manure resulting from the food would be close to the field upon which it will be required. A further advantage would be gained if the straw could be stacked in such a manner as to afford shelter during the cold weather, and this may be effected by making a yard into which the animals are to le turned, and by building up the straw on three sides of the yard. The straw is then to be thrown into the feedracks from the least exposed side first, as required, and the waste and refuse is thrown into the yard, whereby becoming incorporated with the urine and droppings of the animals it is converted into a valuable manure. Straw and chaff are, of course, naturally dry and hard—in a greater degree oven then hay—but by using the linseed jelly above mentioned, or by mixing pulped roots of mangold, beet, turnip, or carrot, they can be made savouiy and attractive to the farm stock. If these are not available, a mixture -of Xccsrne or other green food may be made, or a little salt and pea or bean meal can be put with the food with a like object.