The Reproductive Powers of Domesticated Animals. 269 



Roulin states that tlie females of our domestic animals are rendered 

 less productive by want of salt. No evidence as to this action of 

 salt has come under my own observation, still I think it probable 

 that we shall find the more general use of salt very important and 

 beneficial in its action upon breeding-stock. When salt is used for 

 any animal producing milk, care must be exercised not to allow 

 it to be taken in such quantity as to check the production of 

 milk ; for a free supply would speedily stop this secretion. 



The general system of diet must also be looked upon as taking 

 its share in influencing the reproductive functions. When the 

 fall of rain has been small, and the herbage more than usually 

 parched, we find unusual difficulty in getting ordinary farm- 

 stock to breed. A dry dietary is very unfavourable for breeding- 

 animals, and very much retards successful impregnation. On the 

 other hand, rich, juicy, and succulent vegetation is very gene- 

 rally favourable to breeding. Apart, therefore, from the direct 

 influence of the food given, it is certain that the condition in 

 which it is consumed materially influences the breeding powers 

 of stock. 



Little is as yet definitely known as to the comparative influ- 

 ence of different kinds of food upon breeding-animals ; but 

 the information we possess leads us to desire farther evidence. 

 We know that the healthy semen of male animals, with few (if 

 any) exceptions, contains a large proportion of albuminous matter, 

 in the form of vitellin and albuminate of soda ; and it follows as 

 a natural consequence, that unless these bodies are present in the 

 food, although they may for a time be supplied by exhausting 

 the animal system, still his career cannot long be maintained 

 without prejudice to the animal, and disappointment to the 

 breeder. The presence of phosphorus is also essential ; and 

 it has been observed that food rich in phosphorus, such as 

 the leguminous seeds — peas, beans, vetches, &c. — are espe- 

 cially valuable in promoting the fertility of breeding-animals. 

 It may also be stated that although a moderate supply of fatty 

 matter is desirable in the food, still it should be limited, so as to 

 prevent any unhealthy accumulations of fat in or about the breed- 

 ing organs ; and it should always be accompanied by food rich 

 in albuminous matter. 



The influence of climate upon the health of our domesticated 

 animals has never received that attention Avhich it merits, I 

 have already made some reference to the effect of a change of 

 climate upon the breeding powers ; and I may add that the bene- 

 ficial influence extends both to male and female. The results 

 which have attended the importation of English stock which had 

 been exported to other climates, or their immediate descendants, 

 show that considerable advantage is often realised in this manner, 



