Universal Straw

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

In the garden, to which not too much time is devoted, cereal weeds often grow, firmly clinging to the soil with their branchy roots. The fight against them sometimes turns into a protracted war without visible success on the part of the gardener. To change the situation in your favor, you can attract children to your side by engaging them in interesting and creative work

Delightful strength of cereal stalks

As a rule, it is not possible to pluck a cereal spike by tearing the stem. He is either pulled out of the ground along with the roots, or, with a successful confluence of the place of the jerk with the place of the soft hinge knot, yields to the barbarian part of his stem, or defends himself, inflicting a narrow cutting wound to the attacker.

The stems of cereal plants owe such virtuoso abilities to the Creator of nature and subsequent evolution. The ratio of the thickness of a cereal stem to its length and the load it can withstand amazes the imagination of architects and builders of all times. Transferring the principle of a natural stem to the high-rise buildings being erected today, builders manage to erect houses, the bases of which are much smaller in diameter than the floors that are carried away into the skies.

We will not delve into the intricacies of the device of the stalk of cereals, remembering only about their resistance to hurricanes that uproot century-old trees along with roots, but do not harm the pliable stems. The ears sway alarmingly under the gusts of the wind, bending low to the ground, as if saying a prayer. The riot of wind will subside, and the stems will straighten again, exposing their fruits to the sun washed by the rain.

The difference between straw and hay

Not every city dweller can explain the difference between straw and hay. Although outwardly they are similar to each other, their inner qualities are very different.

Hay is harvested on purpose, organizing a real labor holiday called "haymaking". The fragrant hay contains many useful substances that support ruminants in the dry winter time.

Straw is a by-product of grain harvesting for human and domestic animals. These are the very stems of cereal plants that have fantastic strength, but are not of interest for the diet of humans or animals.

Observation of the ancients

In principle, all the technical achievements of man are not so much the merit of his mind as the merit of the ability to observe nature. The Almighty has long and rationally thought out the earthly structure, giving a person the opportunity to observe and use what has already been created.

Noticing the strength of cereal stalks, people began to actively use this property to their advantage. Whatever was done from straw.

The roofs of village houses were covered with straw to protect the dwelling from rain and snow. Furniture, household utensils, kitchen utensils were made from it.

People dressed up in straw clothes. These are shoes (bast shoes, which were often made from bast, but sometimes from straw), and capes like a raincoat, and, of course, hats and hats.

Straw was used to make children's toys and "toys" for adults - ritual objects, for example, a stuffed animal of Winter, which was burned at the stake during the Maslenitsa celebration.

Loss of roots

Technological progress, which took place thanks to nature, over time, alienated man from the pristine nature. The weaker the connection becomes, the less mutual understanding between man and nature.

And only those who are especially inquisitive and tireless continue to watch her, discovering more and more wonders. Today, when people willingly return to life on their land, forgotten crafts, including those associated with straw, are also remembered.

Activities with children

On long summer evenings, sitting on the terrace of a summer cottage, try your creativity, making products from straw harvested from annoying weeds.

The beginning can be a simple production of a Scarecrow, which you and your children will solemnly set near a garden with strawberries that seduce birds. Who knows, maybe a simple fun will develop into passion and give a new profession to children, which you never imagined.