The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-07-29
AGRICULTURAL.
Sailing Hay.

Last September the following views on
the subject OF sailing hay were published in
the Iowa State Register, and as they are fit
ting to this season, we quote them here:
1t may appear that this is not the appro-
pirate season of the year to introduce this
subject lsalting hayl. But, for the use we
propose making of the subject at this time,
It is appropriate. We call the attention of
farmers and livery men to the importance of
watching carefully the effect of sailed hay
on horses and cattle. These animals will
eat a small quantity of salt winter and sum
mer, and it is beneficial to their health But
it is improper and injurious to compel ami
mails to eat it beyond the demands of the ap-
petite. Too much salt is a violent irritant
of the bowels, causing fever; and overdoses
sometimes produce fatal Inflammation. Cat
tie that eat salt hay drink too much water,
which brings on looseness of the bowels and
securing. The same is the case with horses
There is no excuse for sailing hay, except
to follow in the errors and the follies of the
past. 1t was believed that few pounds of
salt would preserve ton of wet or half
cured hay. And even some old fogies vet
who never reason from cause to effect, fol-
low the traditions o. the past in 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, And sois sugar.
But either, in imperfect quantities below
the preserving measure, aids in more rapid
decomposition.
Salt in certain cases should be given to cat
tie literally, and especially when eating dry
husks, both as a laxative, and as an incen-
tive to take more water. 1t should, how
ever, always be in such shape that it can be
regulated by careful feeder 1t is claimed
by many that much of the abortion of cows
in dairy-stables is caused by the careless use
of salt when the bowels are relaxed From
the earliest history there have been attributed
to salt many virtues, until many suppose it
is good for everything and in all places.
Some medical men recommend it for dyspep-
STA; Others as an emetic, as styptic or as
tringent, and as beneficial in cases of hem
orrhage of the lungs. All agree that sea-
water or saltwater baths are stimulating and
tonic in their effects. The Bible informs us
that all sacrifices offered in the temple were
seasoned with it; new born children were
rubbed with it; Elisha sweetened the foun-
tain of Jericho with it; and it is used as a
symbol of purity, perpetuity, interruption
and hospitality. And to it is attributed bar
renness and sterility, for the site of any city
or place which was intended, should never
rise again was sown with salt. An agent
which has so many positive and negative
virtues, should be used with Judgment, and
not by the blind and unreasonable conditions
of the past. And one of the greatest follies
is, that few handfuls of it will preserve
NOW of wet hay. And one of the most dan
gerous uses of it 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 go to it when they want it, and
they will never eat too much. Large doses
are laxative and dangerous irritants. Cat
tie and holse-feeders should be sensible and
observing men, capable of knowing when
stock need laxatives and astringcnts, and in
what shape to administer The mildcr rem
edies.