Straw is the dry stalks of cereals that remain after the threshing, once the grains have been removed. The stalks left whole were used by farmers for many purposes, such as weaving ribbons to tie sheaves, covering roofs, building the interior walls of houses and as packaging for shipments. It was also mixed with animal fodder and used as bedding. Even today, straw is used to create everyday objects, such as trivets, baskets and hats.