Beneficial Use of Salt in feeding Slock. 71 



the crop, may now, with the addition of salt, be safely given to 

 milch cows, though previously to the use of salt, these were never 

 so applied. 



A general opinion prevails that inflammatory disorders have 

 been less frequent since salt has been used. It appears to pro- 

 mote digestion, increase the quantity of milk, and dispose the 

 animal to fatten ; it also makes an evident improvement in the 

 handling and the appearance of the skin. 



Though the allowance of salt to cattle has hitherto been re- 

 stricted to four ounces daily, yet little doubt is entertained that 

 it misht beneficially be increased : but experiments have not 

 been made to ascertain the extent to which it might advantage- 

 ously be given. 



The allowances to horses last year was four ounces each per 

 day ; this year it has been increased to six, during the autumn 

 and winter months, mixed with steamed potatoes ; in the sum- 

 mer with their corn : their general health and spirits are consi- 

 dered to be improved, the gloss on their coats remarkably fine ; 

 fewer instances of grease have occurred, and the general opinion 

 is, that with moderate care, the use of salt would diminish the 

 liability to the disease, if it should not prove an actual preven- 

 tive to the complaint. An experiment was made with two horses, 

 which had been many years in the coal works, and, from the 

 grease, were renderctf nearly unserviceable. During the first 

 month, they hail each eiglit ounces of salt per day; the second 

 ten ; and now they have twelve ounces. The first perceptible 

 effect was to prevent the very offensive smell of their dung — their 

 coats improved — the discharge from their legs decreased, and 

 has ceased — the swelling, in some degree, has subsided — the 

 pain appears to be less violent, the stiffness of the limbs is not 

 so great, and they are able to perform moderate work. They 

 have been observed to drink somewhat more water. Whether a 

 complete cure can be effected in so advanced a stage of the dis- 

 order, is yet doubtful, though the beneficial effects of the salt 

 seem to be confirmed by the experiment. 



The importance (^ salt in preserving the health and soundness 

 of sheep is decisive. Two ounces per head has been given weekly 

 to the flock. To those feeding on turnips or rape, three ounces. 

 One hundred sheep have been slaughtered in the course of the 

 last six months, without the least appearance of unsoundness 

 being pcrceptii)le : — in former years, and before salt was made 

 use of, the cwcs were scarcely ever untainted. 



Since it has been discovered that rock sialt is capable of being 

 ground, much labour and ex])ense have been saved, 

 j^ As all the drainage from the sheds and j-ards is collected and 

 thrown over the middings, the dung of the ensuing year will have 



E4 the 



