Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-08-15
agricultural RraOing.
BONE SICKNESS IN COWS.

ceive an inquiry by A. L. futile, OF IN
field, to which | deem it important that
a correct answer should be given both Tor
the qualification of that gentleman, and
also affording information important to
all dairy farmers on old land.
1t appears that Mr.. Tuttle's COWS have
a morbid, sickly appetite for old bones
that those most affected with the disease,
gradually lose their flesh and become
poor that although they eat well they
appear dumpish, stiff in the joints, weak |
across the backs-so much so that they |
can hardly move. Mr. futile has graph
icalIy described the symptoms of dis
ease to which mich cows, on old, worn
out pastures, are always liable; but he has
failed to give information respecting the
| land-whether it is old, or recently clear
ed, and if old, whether it has been long
used for dairy purposes, all of which Is
important TO an intelligent answer to his
inquiries.
In the absence of positive information
l shall presume that his lands have been
long used for dairy purposes. Indeed
the single fact that his cows are thus af-
fected, affords strong presumptive evil
dence that his lands, both moving and
pastures, but more especially the latter,
are dairy-worn. Ifso, the bone-sickness
of his COWS is easily pointed out; and al
though its application may be somewhat
expensive, yet the expense incurred will
afford paying investment. The cause
of the disease, its cure as now existing,
and the prevention of recurrence, are the
points claiming our attention.
= 1t should be borne in mind thatth COW
creates nothing. II is true also that the
grass creates nothing. Certain morgan; c
substances exist in the soil, among which
are phosphate of lime, potash, soda, CON-
f mon salt, gypsum, &c. The grass can
not create these substances for itself. 1t
can only draw them from the soil. Il
{ they exist abundantly in the soil, as If
:. most newly cleared lands, those sweet
2, nutritious grasses, most valued by The
IS farmer, will grow luxuriantly; but if tn,
e soil do not contain them, except in yer,
d minute portions, as in old dairy farms
Y then those nutritious grasses will die out
81 and meagre, innutritious grasses will tax
I their place. But it so happens that tn
S. same substances which are essential t
I'd sweet, nutritious grasses constitute tn
essentials of milk. Of phosphate {
lime, for instance, two ounces are requil
ms ed for the elaboration of each pail G
g milk in the mysterious organism of th
T. COW and several pounds are carried o
ne in the bones of every calf sold from til
farm. In process of time, this substanc,
which never exists but in small quaint
rs ties, is exhausted. When no longer foun
Ell in the soil, it cannot be in the grasse
IS growing from that soil. But the CO.
cannot elaborate milk without it. Sti
there is in the organization of the COW a
10 effort of nature to elaborate milk, TT
hu little phosphate contained in her food
US all distracted from her system in Il
composition of milk. None is left
that steady and constant renovation
ny her bones which nature requires. H
Ills bones are deprived of what is necessal
to keep them in sound, healthy, co
fv stantly renovated state. In other wor,
in her bones are not fed with food conyeI
lent for them. Phosphate of lime is Il
proper food for bones, but this COW
'ry bones have been cheated out of that boz
anu growing and bone-renovating sgbstane
mo- She has the bone-sicknesS. Never w
les a disease more appropriately named.
ron is called 6o,De-sickness for two reason
1st, because it is really disease of t
err bones, these organs having fallen into
tile abnormal, sickly state; and ID, because
ng- is manifested by an unnatural and,
some cases, an almost rabid craving f
bones, so that the cows afflicted with
low as Mr. futile says, will run fora bone
me. if a dog were after them. So much
the the cause.
re- For the cure, the best prescription
TO remove the COWS to good pasture,
which plenty of clover and other sw,
grasses, if it is summer; and to feed the
cry if it be winter, on good, well-cured h
mp from richly maDured land. Such f
SCI will supply the necessities of the mi
giving animal, and will be likely to
e of store health. If a change of pasture COZ
not be had, it would be well to soil
cows on grass cut from well manu-
lore moving. 1t would also be well TO y
que them bone-dust, ashes and salt. 7
latter, of course, should always be wit
~ II the reach of COWS. The two form
'H'i would tend to mitigate, and might C.
n Al