Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic counting and boxing machine. The machine employs a rotatable drum with a plurality of vanes deposited on the outside surface thereof running parallel to the central axis of the drum. Adjacent to the drum is a mechanism for inserting in front of each vane of the drum long cylindrical objects. As the drum rotates it then deposits the long cylindrical objects into an adjacent collection chamber. The collection chamber has an elevator plate which can be moved between an upper and lower position. When the elevator plate is in an upper position, a compression plate extends and moves the long cylindrical objects into a box loading chamber which has a floor coplaner with the elevator plate when it is in its upper position. When the straws are transferred to the box loading chamber, the elevator plate drops to its lower position and continues to receive straws from the drum. After the compression plate retracts the elevator plate moves back to its original position.