144 THE 



an ox or a cow requires two ounces of salt daily to re- 

 plenish the system ; a horse needs one and one-half 

 ounces, and a sheej^ one dram. This is in addition to 

 that which is naturally contained io the food. 



How seldom does any farmer provide his animals with 

 this indispensable article of food ? How much disorder 

 of the digestive functions may be and is due to this neg- 

 lect ? Nearly all the ailments of farm animals are pro- 

 duced by disturbances of the digestive organs. Is it not 

 just and reasonable to. assume that the absence of this in- 

 dispensable salt is the cause of much of this disease and 

 the loss of thousands of animals for want of a necessary 

 part of their nutriment. 



But salt given in excess is an acrid poison, producing 

 corrosioD of the gastric membranes and quick death. It 

 is therefore to be given with the food in regular and safe 

 proportion ; or if given alone should be given daily in the 

 needed quantity, as above mentioned. 



The salt barrel should be kept adjacent to the feeding 

 box, and to avoid accidents by any animal trespassing 

 and taking too much, the barrel should have a safe, close- 

 fitting cover, or a well made bin should be used. The 

 regular ration, given with each feed, should be measured 

 out accurately. One ounce for each cow at each feed, or 

 half a pint for fifteen cows, is the proper allowance. 

 This will be equal to one pound or sixteen ounces for the 

 fifteen cows.-*- 



There are times when the appetite of the cows will fail 

 from repletion, sameness of food, or other causes, w^hich 

 are removed by a change of feeding. The addition to 

 the food of some agreeable flavoring will at once have a 

 good effect. We once procured a barrel of molasses for 

 use in the dairy, and once a week gave at first a quart of 

 it to our herd of fifteen cows, mixed with the dry meal, 

 a little water being added to make the mixture even. 

 The zest thus given to the food was conspicuous by this 



