Litchfield enquirer., 1837-11-09
IMPORTANT TO FARMERS.

Tn the winter of 1879, disease preyail- ed amongst the cattle to an alarming ex- tent some farmers lost mcre than one half. 1 have at this time lo head of cattle on my farm, which were kept confined to the barn-yard; they were watered at trough standing near log house. I watched closely those that were affected with the disorder and observed that they often after .i,ey had drank turned to the house, and en- dcavored to eat the clay from between the logs, that is when the ground was hard fro- zen and covered with snow. Knowing that all animals arahg hgoverned by instinct, and seldom ever oat that which is not beneficial, I determined to try the experiment--ac- cosdingly, I procured a quantity of clay, and offered it to them in pieces of h proper size, which they greedily ate from my hand; they were afterwards fed with clay twice U week until the snow disappeared, and nev- CT wero cattle healthier, or in better con- dition when the spring opened--sincs then 10 the present time, 1886, my horses, cate tie, calves and sheop, when the snow and frost has prevented them from obtaining earth or clay for themselves, have been snp- piled. I have fed it to calves in the spring and summer, and it has never failed to re-
 store them to their appetites, when they refused to eat, correcting all acidities of the stomach, and stopping all scourings, as magncsia does in children. As 10 calves. have never lost one in winter, and of sheep not two in hundred, since cosa- menccd feeding on clay, and ont of ,I4O sheep, during the last winter, I lost noe one, and most of them were good mutton. During the last winter the sheep of Dr. Butler, an extensive wool grower, were ta- ken with the SCOUTS, and many died befora he .vus aware of it5 ho isEsmUdiaIeiy had clay dug and tl,awed, and feed to them, aI- ter which he lost not another sltoep. .f am perfectly satisfied that 1t is as necessary that cattle and horses should have clay giy- en them in winter, whenthe ground js cove ercd with snow. as it is that thay should have salt iii summer; nnd as to sheep and calves Iwoula rather nrine should do with- out salt than without clay.- CaltivGtor.
 An African Fabls.--It is fact, known to all who have travelled much in Africa. that nothing will frighten an Elephant quicker, than the bleating of a goat. However hotly he may be pursuing an object, the bleating of a goat, or noise resembling 1t, will at once arrest him and send him bounding from tho object of his vengeance. An African being asked the reason of it, related the following fable: ~
 -In old times Goat bet an Elephant, that he could out-cat him. They commenced, and soon .. spacious plain bore testimony to the capacity of their maws, by being com plctely denuded of it's verdure. On the ap- nr0saeh 0f night tho Elenhanf. wcaried Wfkk nippinc and grinding, forgot his bet in 6sze in tho midst ofthc plain. About midnighk he was aroused by grinding near him. and li1- dinp il was his rival, inquired what he could
 be eating, as he was confident he had devo,a- red every vesfige of vegetation before he lay down. Eating, replied the Cont why nm eating all the roclEs. and whenI have fnisE- ed them. I intend to commence on you. The Elephant no sooner heard that, than ho took to his heels. and has ever since been ahyofa Goat.-Liberia Herald.