Use of Stimulating or Spiced Food. 



141 



beneficial ; but observing in conclusion, " It is true that this effect can be produced as well by giving 

 the animal his food properly ground or in the form of meal, and, if need \>c., assisting him occasionally 

 with some tonics or cordials ; but there would be nothing mysterious in this, and John Bull is fond 

 of the marvellous." It will be plain, as is justly remarked by another high agricultural authority, 

 Mr. J. C. Morton, that "the medicinal compounds cannot be in very large proportion, or their 

 influence would be excessive;" and hence that all the remainder, beyond what is needful to 

 counterbalance the cost of this small seasoning, is paid for at two or three times its market value. 

 In Mr. Morton's words again, "we recommend our readers, therefore, to try [various meals] and mix 

 them for themselves ; and if their cattle [poultry] want a stimulant let them consult their veterinary 

 surgeon how best to medicate the food thus home made. They will find it a wonderful saving 

 to their pockets." 



We cannot but regret that all those makers who profess to have any valuable recipe for tonic 

 combinations of spices do not vend the spices alone, avowedly as mere seasoning. We believe 

 the sacrifice of profit on food sold at thrice its value would be fully made up by increased demand, 

 and by saving in bulk and expenses ; and in such a shape, to be used with discretion for special 

 purposes or to prepare for exhibition, we could honestly recommend them, knowing one of the 

 very foods we have had more particularly in view to possess unquestionably great value in 

 these respects. At present one or two vendors only do this ; and for the use of those who may 

 desire to prepare something of the kind for themselves, we give the following as recipes which 

 have been tried and found to do good service : — 



I. Liquorice 

 Ginger • 



Cayenne Pepper 

 Aniseed 

 Pimento 

 Sulphate of Iron 



Powder and mix. 



Cassia Bark . . 

 Ginger . 



Gentian . . 

 Aniseed 

 Carbonate of Iron . 



141 

 5 



i 



2 



I 



2\ 



Powder and mix. 



Peravian Bark 

 Citrate of Iron 

 Gentian 

 Pimento 

 Cayenne . 



Powder and mix. 



Cascarilla Bark 

 Aniseed 

 Pimento 

 Malt Dust . 

 Carbonate of Iron 



Powder and mix, 



2 or. 



1 ,. 



2 ,, 



The first powder is chiefly adapted for a sudden cold. The second will be found excellent as 

 a tonic in wet or cold weather, or for young turkeys, being the recipe of Mr. Mills, a French 

 apothecary, which has been well tested. The two last are also tonics ; the last, or one somewhat 

 like it, being preferable for more contimwns use when required, or in preparing fowls for exhibition. 

 As a restorative after return from exhibition we would prefer No. 3. The No. 4 recipe may be 

 mixed with sugar at discretion, in the proportion of three parts good sugar to one of powder ; this 

 addition will assist in making weight, and is liked by the fowls, but too raw a quality must not 

 be used, or purging will be the result. In using either of these condiments otherwise, enough 

 should be added to the soft food to give a slight characteristic taste and no more ; except for 

 special occasions, when it is better to mix about as much as will lie on a sixpence or ten-cent piece 

 with a small bolus of meal and butter, and give as a large pill. Another most valuable tonic is 

 "Parrish's Chemical Food," or Syrup of Phosphates, prepared according to the formula of Mr. 

 Edward Parrish, of Philadelphia, which is every day becoming more valued amongst medical men 

 for more serious purposes than that now considered. Being expensive to purchase at the chemists* 



