The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-08-05

has been definitely settled that salt
promotes absorption, as perhaps no
other substance does. Again, salt
acts as an appetizer in human food,
a. use by no means to be neglected.
Now, there are two questions of
practical Importance to the farmer:
First, is salt needed to the perfect
health Of our domestic animals in
greater quantities than it exists in
the general food? and secondly, is
it desirable for any reason to give
it to our horses and cattle? And
one question of general Interests:
Is it unhealthy to eat salt in large
quantities?
First, then, is salt needed in the
animal economy in larger qualities
than it exists in the general food?
In 1854 French scientist by the
name ofBoussingault experimental
on six bullocks. He treated them
all alike in every respect except
that three were fed 500 grains of
salt each day, while the other three
had no salt. These experiments
commenced in October. For six
months no noticeable difference APP
peared; but in the succeeding April
a difference was noticed in the looks
and actions in favor of the animals
receiving the salt, which continued
to be more striking, till finally the
animals not receiving any salt, ap-
peared sick both as to looks and
actions, while the others were as
fine in appearance as could be de-
sired. Mr.. bailey of England
tried similar experiments with
sheep, and with the same results.
These experiments show very
conclusivcly that animals which are
stall-fed need more salt than is con-
tanned in their usual feed; and the
suppOsition would be, that the same
is true of animals which roam the
the fields and crop the fresh grass,
though the fact that animals in a
wild state frequently get no free
salt and yet appear very healthy,
would argue the reverse of this.
Yet these same animals seem to
crave salt, as the much ,frequented
salt pools clearly prove; and a
natural taste or desire is pretty
good evidence of an organic need.
The general opinion, too, of our best
farmers, as indicated by their prac-
tice, is 10 small argument in their
favor of salt. Yet this argument
may be weakened from the fact
that the same solicitudc that would
give salt would give other extra
care, which would tend to make sleek
kline. Hence salt might get too
much credit in accounting for the
fine condition Of salt-fcd stock.
Yet the fact of whole herds all
through the country, which look
we'll and yet never get any free
salt, is the strongest argument
against its necessity. There are
only too solutions to this question:
Either the animals get the needed
extra salt by licking the earth, or
else they would look and do still
better were it a part of their aliment.
In the second place; Shall We
feed our animals salt? say en-
phatically, Yes. We see the weight
of argument seems to favor its use
as need, which the animal feels
especially when stall-fed; and, as we
shall soon show, salt can work no
injury. 1t will pay simply in max
ing our animals more docile and
manageable, even were the argu:
ment from organic need entirely
wanting.
Again, / have heard our city
milkmcn say, that milk might be
skinned to a limited degree, and
by adding a little salt the fraud
would be completely masked. Now
we know how readily the milk glands
abstract substances from the blood.
Is it not probable, then, that salt
fed cows would give milk that would
seem richer from it's containing
more salt? aside from the chance
of their being more hca1thy.
Lastly, is salt unhealthy when
taken in quite large quantities?
Experience says, No. Physiolo-
gy sustains the negation. As al
ready stated, if the salt in the blood
becomes excessive, it is cxcretcd
by the kidneys and does no harm.
Let no one, then, who has taste
for very salty victuals, which they
have heretofore gratificd with grim
folbodings of disease and death,
any longer fear; for if salt will not
always save us, it will tend in that
direction. Experience and phys
iology alike bid rs eat all the salt
our appctitcs crave; for it we do
eat more than the system needs,
it will be harmless; and not simply
that, but will be positive good
even then as an appetizer. | would
have no one infer from this that it
would be safe to give animals an
excessive amount Of salt when salt
hungry, any more than any other
kind of food. 1t should be kept be-
fore them or else in limited quanti-
ties at stated intervals.
"A. j. Cook,
Prof.in Agricultural College.
HoN. III. G. POTTER, of the +. &