78 



DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



[CnAP. I. 



flour, when the disease appeared in their cattle, which, of course, I was glad 

 to give tliem, the result being the same as in my own case." 



107. To Cure Lice on Cattle. — Some farmers have great faith in the 

 eflicacy of onions for ridding cows or oxen of lice. Mr. Roe, of Orange 

 County, N. Y., claims to have found them an infallible remedy in his prac- 

 tice. They also give a tone to the stomach, and are especially valuable in 

 hot weather, when working cattle will lie in the shade at noon-time, and 

 refuse to cat. Mr. Roe uses the "scullions," or small, unsalable onions, and 

 those which become soft or sjirouted toward spring. lie gives a feed of half 

 a peck once a day, at noon, and says that two feeds are sufficient to extirpate 

 any number of vermin. 



A correspondent recommends the following remedy for lice or ticks : " One 

 tablespoonful of sulphur to one pint of salt, mix thoroughly together, and 

 feed to cattle or sheep once a week, in quantities, as we usually feed cattle, 

 for two months in succession, and there will be no ticks or lice on them." 



lOS. Cattle Poisoned with Brine. — Many farmers have learned to their 

 sorrow that old brine, placed within the reach of hogs, cattle, and perhaps 

 other farm stock, will cause death ; and as there are others who may not have 

 learned this fact, we now place it on record for their benefit. We will also 

 give the results of certain investigations made at the Veterinary School, at 

 Ayort, France, by M. Reynal, which throw additional light upon the subject. 

 It is ascertained tliat the poisonous properties of brine are not immediately 

 acquired ; but it assumes this condition only after it has been in contact for 

 several months with the meat, when, if mixed with the food of stock, even 

 in small quantities, it will produce death ; but when hogs and other stock can 

 get to it, unmixed with food, its effects are still more speedily fatal. The 

 poison acts as a local irritant, exciting violent intestinal congestion and 

 inflammation. It likewise increases the secretion of the skin and kidneys, 

 and exerts a direct effect upon the nervous system, giving rise to trembling, 

 loss of sensation, convulsions, etc. 



The salt of the worst brine may be saved in a pure state by boiling the 

 brine and cai'efuliy skimming off all the scum. The remainder may then be 

 used as brine, or reduced to salt by still more boiling. 



109. Cattle Poisoned by Wild Cherry Leaves. — It is not an unusual tiling 

 for cattle to be poisoned with the leaves of the common wild cherry-tree, 

 which are almost sure death if eaten in a wilted state, unless a remedy is 

 immediately administered. The most convenient, ready remedy which a 

 farmer can use is hog's lard and molasses, mixed in about equal quanti- 

 ties, by melting the lard and warming the molasses. It should be given in 

 doses of a pint or a quart, by means of a black bottle, pouring it well down 

 the animal's throat. 



110. Overstocking the Farm. — Tliis is about the worst practice in farming, 

 as regards stock, either in summer or winter. It is not only unprofitable to 

 keep useless animals, such as horses or oxen, but if you are overstocked, the 

 whole must deteriorate. There is nothing about a farm that has a more 



