MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS 521 



also, that it shall DC possessed of a considerable degree of 

 succulence. Usually the object sought will be accomplished 

 within a few weeks from the time when such feeding be- 

 gins To secure the same in ewes, they are usually put 

 on rich and juicy pasture subsequently to the weaning of 

 the lambs. The pasture is supplemented with a fairly liberal 

 allowance of nutritious grain. For this purpose oats and 

 barley have been found superior to corn or rye. Wheat 

 also answers the purpose well. Rape pasture is particularly 

 adapted to such feeding and if well advanced in growth, it 

 may not be necessary to supplement it with any grain. The 

 result with generously fed brood sows, subsequent to the 

 weaning of the pigs, will be similar. 



When females are well nourished and yet do not come 

 in heat, they may in some instances be made to breed by re- 

 ducing the flesh in a considerable degree, through with- 

 holding food and enforcing exercise, and then giving again 

 enough of suitable food to commence again building up 

 the reduced energies of the system. The success follow- 

 ing will be dependent on the cause or causes that prevented 

 the animals from breeding previously. 



Salt and its uses. The desire for salt in nearly all 

 classes of domestic animals is so strong as to amount to a 

 craving, if it is withheld from them for any considerable 

 period. That it serves an important end in the animal 

 economy would seem to be thus indicated by nature. Swine 

 seem to crave it less than other domestic animals, but they 

 also profit by its moderate use. 



Salt is not a nutrient in the sense of furnishing food, 

 nor is it certain that it adds directly to the digestibility of 

 foods, as such, nevertheless, it plays an important part in 

 sustaining the animal by the influence which it exerts on 

 the digestive processes. When supplied in suitable quanti- 

 ties, it increases the energy of the vital processes. It does 

 so by facilitating the passage of albuminoids from the diges- 

 tive tract into the blood, and by increasing the secretion of 

 the juices of the body and quickening their circulation. In 

 doing so, however, it increases protein consumption. *- 



