Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-13
Salt for Cows.

Salt for Cows.
1t has been, and still is an unsettled
question, how important part salt per-
forms in keeping cows in good healthy
condition, and whether its feeding has an
influence on the coming Of the butter, its
solidity or color. Below we give extracts
from Mr.. Hardin, of Kentucky, who is the
originator of the Hardin system of milk
setting, which is an adaptation of the
Swedish method; and which we clip from
the Ohio Farmer.
We also give the conclusions arrived at
by Harris Lewis, given in reply to Il note
from Bro Cheever, of the NeW England
Fwmer which we take from its columns,
with Mr.. Cheever's observations on the
same. Oar observations and experience
entirely coincide with Mr.. Lewiss con-
cluinns, except in the matter of abortion
in which we have had no experience, bat
believe that any effect of suit in that case,
would be healthful one, if fed judicious-
~.
We remember once of being bantered
by farmer in Rhode Island with whom
we boarded, because we came from state
where they had to salt their cattle to keep
them from spelling. Nothing Of the kind
is ever done there, but by putting your
tongue on the stones you can taste the salt
very plainly. There is no question that
salt is deposited on soils near the sea shore,
and how far inland its presence is felt can
hardly be decided, but We have no hest
fancy in expressing our belief of its nee
Ossity for the health Of cattle, especially in
summer, and its effect on the coming Of the
butter, especially in winter, in inland 10
cations. Mr.. Cheever, living fifteen miles
from the sea shore, finds no such results /;
Here is another bone of contention,
Most dairymen think cows need salt just
as n ship needs balast-she will tip over
without it. In IL late issue of the Country
Gentleman, an esteemed friend who differ
ed with me on the salt question: relates
the result of an experiment in emitting
salt with some stock he was wintering
After depriving these animals entirely of
salt for four months of the hardest part of
the winter, and all of his neighbors prog.
nosticating dreadful things, wonderful to
relate he never had cattle winter better in
his life. When salt was offered to these
poor animals that had been so cruelty de-
prved of it, they only indulgod in it mod
crately, not seeming to look upon it as
either necessity, or such luxury after
all.
Is it not strange, with the evidence of
millions of animals living about us all the
time that of necessity never tasted salt,
and would not know where to get it ifthey
were dying for it, yet we must strangely
claim that Us soon rs an animal is domes-
ticated we must begin to feed even its
young, upon pure mineral. That salt
can be utilized in the dairy there can be
no question, and it can be abused. too.
When salt, in proper quantities, is mixed
with the COW food for the specific purpose
of giving the COW relish for the food ii
eats it forms good and legitimate part
in the economy Of the dairy, but to feed
plain raw salt to cow is outside of all
reason. j.. D. HARDIN.
| began to watch this matter of sailing
COWS the old way and its effects on the
milk and butter, rs well as its effects on
the churning, and soon come to the follow,
ing conclusiuns:-
/. Cows. and calves even, (Which are
not given credit for knowing much), d,
knoU ,O4en they want suit, md just how
m@ch they aOHnt.
2 If the salt is always kept Just where
the COWS can get it conveniently whenever
they require it, they will eat just the
ann unit they require, and not one particle
more.
8. That salt fed to COWS here on my
far II has Il, much influence on the milk
and butter rs the food or dripk.
4. rhrt sail fed to co VS. in Just the right
way will affect the time of churnng us
much us four degrees of temperature, and
if not fed ut all. more han Iif cen degrees.
). 7 ut sui does give to butter clearer
brighter look. This may all he in my eye,
tnd may be- moonshine ut that; but when
abortion commenced in my herd in Dee.
1868, did not know but hat salt produced
it, as II great many believed, and withheld
it for II long time. Watching the effects on
the cows, the milk and butter, and CT me
to some of the foregoing conclusions then
and also to the conclusion that the COW,
should have what salt they wanted ana
that abortion might rip" | do not be
leve that salt ever produced case OF
abortion or ever prevented one.
Please make Il careful trial of this salt
matter, but apprehend that You have >all
in your soil below, ~ d in the air above.
Yours truly,
HARRIS LEWIS.
We find no such results from the use OF
non-use of salt in our own herd of dairy
cows and young animals. Our COWS ar,
sailed Professionally, but very irregularly
and they seldom appear to care muct
whether they are sailed or not. Some o
them like it much better than others, ant
all care more for it when ut pasture thar
when confed at the stables, although W.
Utu6T USE SIT LOT preserving any vi IIl'
hay, straw or other fodder stored for winte
use. The time of churning is never affec
ted in the least by the amount or frequenc,
of sailing the COWS ut the barn or pasture
Our place is about fifteen miles from
salt water, and occasionally though not Of
ten, the moisture brought inward by tn
wind during storms, deposits salt upon tn
leaves of trees and the grass. How mucl
of such deposits have been brought her
during previous ages and which is still
held by the soil, we are unable to state
NeaO England Farmer.
Paris Green and the Potato Reetla