The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-07-12
Sailing Hay.

Last September the following views on th,
subject OF sailing hay were published IN tht
Iora state Register, and as they are lifting FOL
this season, we quote them here:
II may appear that this is not the apprOpr
ate season of the year to introduce the subject
Sailing hayl But, FOR the use we propose
making of the subject at this time it Is appro
pirate. We call the attention of farmers and
livery men to the importance OF watching care
fully the effect of sailed hay on horses and cat.
tie. These animals will eat small quantity
of salt winter and summer, and it is beneficial
to their health. But it is improper and nju-
rious to compel animals to eat 1t beyond the
demands of the appetite. Too much salt is a
violent irrltant Of the bowels, causing fever
and overdoses sometimes produce fatal lnt1nla-
nation. Cattle that eat sailed hay drink too
much water, which brings GA lOoseness OF the
bowels and securing. The same is the ease
with horses.
There is no excuse for sailing hay, except to
follow IN the errors and tolle. Of the past 1t
was believed that u few pounds of salt would
preserve II ton Of wet or half.cured hay. And
even some old fogies yet who never reason
from cause 10 effect follow the traditions Of
the past ia this respect But salt is injurious
to any hay Instead of drying and preserving
it, the salt absOrbs moisture, dampens and
blackens the hay, and in no case preserves it.
Salt in large quantities Is preserver. And SO
is sugar. But either in imperfect quantities
below the preserving measure, aids in more
rapid decomposition. $780,
Salt in certain cases should be given to cat
tie literally, and especially when eating dry
husks, both as laxative, and as an incentive
to take more water. 1t should, however, al
ways be in shape that it can be regulated by
a careful feeder. 1t is claimed by many that
much of the abortion of COWS in dalry.stabes
is caused by the careless use of salt when the
bowels are relaxed From earliest history
there has been attributed to salt many virtues,
until many suppose 1t Is good for everything
and in all places Some medical men recon-
mend it for dyspepsia; others as an emetic, as
styptlc or astringent and AS beneficial in ca
ses of hcmorrhage of the lungs. All agree that
seawater or saltwater baths are stimulating
and tonic in their effects The bible informs
us that all services offered in the temple were
seasoned with 1t; newborn children were
rubbed with it; Elisha sweetened the fountain
of Jericho with it; and it is used as symbol
of purity, perpetuity, interruption and hOspi-
tally. And to it is attributed barrenness and
sterIlity, for the site any city or place which
it was intended, should never rise agalnwas
sown with salt An agent which has so many
positive and negative virtues, should be used
with judgment, and not by the blind and un-
reasonable conditions of the past. And one
of the creates follieS Is, that few handtuls of
it will preserve now OF wet hay. And one
of the most dangerous uses Of 1t is to compel
stock to use more of it than the appetite
Graves, or what is necessary in their hay Give
stock salt so they can get it when they want it,
and they will never eat too much. Large doses
are laxative and dangerous irrtants, Cattle
and horse-feeders should be sensible and OBJ
serving men, capable Of knowing when stock
need laxatives and astrlngents, and in what
shape to administer the mlder remedies.