246 



Care of Animals. 



Vol. VII. 



usually collects in its nest a large herd of a 

 kind of aphis, that derives its nutriment from 

 the roots of grass and other plants, (Aphis 

 radicum;) these it transports from the neigh- 

 bouring roots, probably by subterranean gal- 

 leries, excavated for the purpose, leading 

 from the nest in all directions; and thus, 

 without going out, it has always on hand a 

 copious supply of food. These creatures 

 share its care and solicitude, equally with its 

 own offspring. To the eggs it pays particular 

 attention, moistening them with its tongue, 

 carrying them in its mouth with the utmost 

 tenderness, and giving them the advantage 

 of the sun. 



Our yellow ants are equally careful of 

 their aphides. After they are hatched, when 

 their nest is disturbed, conveying them into 

 the interior, fighting fiercely for them if the 

 inhabitants of neighbouring formicaries, as 

 is sometimes the case, attempt to make 

 them their prey, and carrying them about 

 in their mouths to change their pasture, or 

 for some other purpose. When you consider 

 that from them they receive almost the 

 whole nutriment, both of themselves and 

 larva?, you will not wonder at their anxiety 

 about them, since the wealth and prosperity 

 of the community is in proportion to the 

 number of their cattle. — Kirby <Sf Spence's 

 Entomology. 



Care of Animals. 



All kinds of animals require much care 

 in cold weather, or at any season when shut 

 up, in order to preserve them in good health 

 and condition. For want of attention they 

 frequently become diseased and die, or grow 

 poor, to the great loss of the owner. And 

 it is frequently the case that animals thus 

 treated, or rather neglected, consume about 

 as much food as would be necessary to keep 

 them in good health and flesh, with proper 

 care. Salt should be given to animals occa 

 sionally, both as a means of thrift and pre- 

 ventive of disease. 



By the free use of salt we have known 

 severe disorders that have appeared amonsr 

 a herd of cattle, first mitigated to a mild 

 form, and finally arrested before going half 

 through the stock, when, without some 

 preventive means, such diseases would have 

 prevailed through the herd. 



In cold weather salt should be given in 

 small doses, lest it open the pores and pro- 

 duce colds. Wool ashes mixed with salt, 

 in the proportion of four to seven quarts, to 

 a quart of salt, is considered excellent tor 

 stock, as it promotes an appetite and pre- 

 vents diseases. It will prevent bots in 

 horses, and rot in sheep. 



We have given this mixture with evident 

 success. Cattle and sheep will generally 



eat it freely. Horses are more particular 

 than most other animals, as to what they 

 eat or drink. Some of them will not eat 

 this mixture. In such cases mix a small 

 quantity of ashes with salt at first, and put 

 them on roots of which the horse is very 

 fond, and in this way he will get accustomed 

 to eating this wholesome condiment. 



Animals should have a good supply of 

 pure water. Some persons think that sheep 

 do not need water in winter, when they 

 have access to snow ; but if such persons 

 will supply them with water, they will see 

 their great mistake, not only from the de- 

 cided preference which the animals give to 

 water, but from their superior condition; and 

 the advantages will be evident by the greater 

 number, size, and superior condition of the 

 Iambs. Sheep will go a considerable dis- 

 tance after water, and go oftener than cattle, 

 after they have first been coaxed or gently 

 driven to it, that they may know where to 

 find it. 



Cattle should be fed regularly, and have 

 but a small quantity of fodder at a time, as 

 they will breathe upon it and render it un- 

 pleasant or offensive. To prevent this in 

 some measure, the cattle-house should not 

 be boarded up in front, excepting above the 

 heads of the cattle, and one board at bottom 

 to keep the hay in its place. Then the 

 breath of the animals will pass off with less 

 injury to the fodder, and afford good whole- 

 some air for respiration. 



Boys should be early taught to feed stock, 

 as it is a business that requires much expe- 

 rience and a sound judgment, according to 

 the kind and condition of stock, the fodder, 

 weather, &c. But they should have the ad- 

 vantage of constant instruction and superin- 

 tendance of some one of riper years. This 

 supervision is necessary, where boys are 

 faithful and attentive. In some cases boys 

 are negligent, and then it becomes more 

 important, as they may manage somewhat 

 like the old negro, who threw all the hay to 

 the master ox, and requested him to divide 

 it amonjj them. — Farmers' Journal. 



Good Old William West, the cele- 

 brated and successful farmer of Delaware 

 county, always had a large bed of compost, 

 duly and properly prepared in the field he 

 intended to plant with corn, wherewith to 

 dress it. lie raised fine crops and improved 

 his farm, and left a good example for others 

 to follow. It was a maxim with him "to be 

 kind to the soil," and he reaped his reward. 



Query, was there ever a farmer who an- 

 nually prepared and applied a good bed of 

 compost to his corn, who did not thrive and 

 prosper in his calling? 



