The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-07-19
Salt for Stock.

we nOtlce Win surprise LlaI III the lace
of all experience and in spite of all the
facts which have been cited in favor of the
use of salt for cattle, from the first dawn
of agriculture up to the present day, there
are still few farmers who either denounce
1t, or neglect to supply their animals with
it, thinking, perhaps, that it is of no great
importance. Salt is one of the most abun-
dant minerals. and appears to be natural
and necessary condiment for both wild and
domesticated animals. 1t is true that
sheep, horses and cattle, may thrive for a
while without salt or saline food; but,
sooner or later, intestinal and other para
sites are sure to attack and destroy animals
deprived of this substance. We have
good reason for believing that large
number of the diseases which are pre-
scribed for from time to time in these
columns, owe their origin directly to the
ebeonoo ooaroity of oalt in tho stock
yard.
At this season, especially, when animals
are turned out to pasture, full and con.
slant supply of salt should be given them,
not only to stimulate digestion, but to pre-
vent an excess of green food becoming in-
furious, as it is well known that salt acts
more speedily than almost any other tonic
III uSC. w ACu SlNcu Ill I'LL SC III
is purgative, second only to Epson salts,
and if animals are permitted to make their
own choice, they will never eat too much,
but will merely satisfy the cravings of APP
petite. For this reason we have always
recommended the placing Of salt within
the reach of herd, or any member Of it,
at all times, in preference to the more
common method of sailing stock at stated
Do xx-H< --ots. <,,k 100
than is good for them. A century ago one
of our best American farmers said: "We
think salt in a manner absolutely neces-
sary, and accordingly give tito every kind
of cattle; and to this practice of feeding
with salt it is generally ascribed that our
cattle are SO much more healthy than the
same animals in England; certain it is
they are subject to much fewer deases."
For many years it has been the custom
in Germany, and particularly in Wurtem-
berg, where vast number of oxen are
bred, to give doses of glauber salts to cat
tie; at one time glauber salt was cheaper
than common salt, and this was supposed
to be the reason why the former was SO
extensively used; but this proved to be
erroneous, for upon the discovery of salt
springs and the cheapening of common
odlt, III CuduSC was uldQc III tlC Use III
glauber salt. The farmers give as rea-
son for using the latter that it conduces,
by its purgative qualities. to keep the cat
tie in good health, and that even when
from long habit they become less liable
to be acted upon by it, it still promotes
digestion, and brings the animal into good
condition more rapidly. A Russian nat
uralist observes that oxen fatten very
sc1x vxx i.
row grass abounds, which would indicate
that the salt had something to do with it.
as the plant referred to is not very nutri-
tious.
Now, it is question, worthy of serious
consideration. whether many of the dis
cases which appear in the large Western
herds are not due in measure to the nom
use of salt in proper quantities. 1t is
we'll known to act rs vermifuge, destroy
ing intestinal worms, and fungOid dis
eases generally, and checking fevers.
For sheep 1t is highly beneficial, especial
ly in most regions and seasons, prevent
ing rot, scab, flatulent distentions and in
testinai worms, TO which they are liable in
many localities and climates. In spain 1873
pounds of salt are allowed per annum to
every 1000 sheep; but limit should not
be made, and all they will eat should be
given them.
The experience of stock raisers through
out the world is, however, 80 oyerwhelm-
ingly in favor of giving all kinds Of cat
tie and even swine salt In abundance, that
we can scarcely conceive why any
doubts in regard to its value can remain !;
and yet we frequently find such express.
ing their opinions against lis use; and,
further, we know from observation that
not one-hslf the herds in the country re-
ceivc full supply Of this cheap and i'm
portant article. It certainly would be in
feresting to know what proportion Of our
farmers and herdsmen attend to this mat
ter of sailing their stock; also the proper
ton Of animals which become diseased re.
spectively under the saline and auti-
saline treatment.
Hogs running in pasture or In the
woods and feeding upon mast require salt
to keep them healthy: and II deprived Of
it, are very liable to diseases Of the digest
i've organs, which frequently end In what
is called hog cholera. The same Is also
true when they are fattened entirely upon
corn, and this is probably one reas0n Why
hogs fed upon the slops from the kitchen,
which usually contain considerable salt,
are - rule more healthy than those kept
exclusively upon grain and vegetable food
which they pick up in pastures. Hogs
while fatteufnR may be given . Tablespoons
full Of salt daily ia their food with benekt;
and we believe il more attention was paid
70 sailing hogs. We should have less Of the
ravages Of hog cholera and similar dis
eases. IN. r. Sun.