190 



Analyses of Ashes of Plants. 



condition of the system, to be discouraged except for the specific 

 purpose of fattening an animal at the expense of its general well- 

 being. As far more deserving of attention than anything we can 

 say on this subject, we would beg to present the opinion of Mr. 

 Robinson, the experienced Professor of Veterinary Surgery at the 

 Agricultural College of Cirencester, on the use of salt.* This 

 gentleman says, ^' I have for many years been perfectly convinced 

 that salt allowed in quantity is highly prejudicial to all breeding 

 animals, inasmuch as it has a direct influence in greatly diminish- 

 ing the necessary supply of milk for the immediate sustenance of 

 the young animal ; hence salt is the best medium to ' dry ' a cow of 

 her milk, and ewes would also be benefited by free access to this 

 substance for one week when their lambs are taken from them. 



I am also convinced that salt has the effect of diminishing the 

 secretion of the liver, and that it is from this cause that the good 

 effects of salt are so obvious in ihe feeding of animals. It is well 

 known that incipient disease of the liver is favourable to the 

 production of fat. 



" When lambing ewes are allowed a large quantity of turnips 

 with a small amount of other food through the winter, abortion is 

 a frequent occurrence — their supply of milk is very deficient, and 

 their lambs are dropped of very various sizes and far from healthy. 

 If the ewes are allowed free access to salt the lambs are still 

 more unhealthy, and many die from indigestion and disease of 

 the liver. The mortality of the lambs in these cases may, I think, 

 be fairly attributed to the amount of salt taken by the dam ; for 

 admitting that a small portion only is directly given them, the 

 quantity positively taken in their food in the turnips is somewhat 

 considerable, as you pointed out to me from your analysis. This 

 is a point — the normal or natural quantity of salt — contained in 

 the different roots, &c. consumed by animals as food, which will 

 throw much light upon this most important branch of agriculture. 

 That the use of salt is highly beneficial to certain stock and at 

 certain times, there cannot be a doubt ; but from my own know- 

 ledge it is no less equally true that the too free and indiscriminate 

 use of it to all stock and at all times is highly prejudicial." 



We must leave this opinion to the judgipent of the readers of 

 the Journal — it is that of an experienced and careful observer 

 and therefore entitled to very considerable reliance. It would 

 seem perfectly safe, however, to say that, supposing Mr. Robinson 



* The above (which is published by the permission of my friend, Mr. 

 Robinson) was hastily written in reply to my wish, that he should state in 

 a few words the result of his experience on this subject. I had some time 

 since mentioned to him the large quantity of salt found in the turnip and 

 beet, which it appeared was in consonance with his own observation of 

 their effects upon the milk of cows and ewes.—J. T. W. 



