The Making of Chaff.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 97, 4 September 1908, Page 4

The Making of Chaff.

It is somewhat surprising to find the different ideas that pertain to the making and using of chaff in the- different parts of the country. In the term "chaff," as here used, is included all kinds of "chop" or artificial chaff made by cutting up fodder material of all kinds. Every chaff-cutter has change wheels by which the length of the chop is regulated. Theoretically, long chop is required by cows because they must chew the cud, and require a fairly decent length of stuff for thi3 end, but in some districts the short or J-inch length is preferred. Again, most horsemen prefer the short length of chop for their horses, but the! writer knows of one district where the halfinch cut is in almost universal use. It would be interesting to know if there is any reason for these differences, for he writer prefers and believes in short stuff for horses, and long—even lin. long—for cows. Xf the animals do not thrive on nor like these appropriate sizes, then it is because they have been used to the other, and it is only a matter of a short time to get them to take to the right size as far as palatability is required. If, 011 the other hand, the animals tend to scour or be costive, then it must be due to the nature of the fodder and not to the size to which it is chopped. Natural chaff, that from wheat, and oats, is small enough, and fine enough, but there is no need to cut straw or hay fodder so fine or short. Cliaffcutting is of course, a comparatively modern affair, for our grandfathers did not practice it, as it started with bur fathers, but it is usually work well bestowed, for we can use up and make an ordinary quantity go a long —and make palatable much inferior stuff —way.