Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1892 — LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY. [ARTICLE]

LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY.

Salt and Aube* for Pits. Animals that are confined in close quarters and fed on concentrated food always require certain mineral elements which nature supplies to them in the fields and woods. The need which pigs have for salt ‘and ashes is well known but it is not so generally

practiced and lived up to. When the pigs are roaming about the fields and woods they do not need the ashes, but when in their winter quarters and fed concentrated food a weekly supply of wood ashes will be of inestimable value to them. We have not vet found out exactly what element in the ashes they desire, whether it is the charcoal, lime or potash, but it is certain that the ashes themselves are very beneficial. One of the benefits of feeding them ashes is a better appetite for their rations of meal and fodder. They eat more and steadier, and their food is better digested and assimilated. Experiments at the station with a great number of pigs have proven this fact beyond dispute. Salt does not entirely take the place of ashes, for where food, mater aad salt were given in abundance, and the ashes omitted, the pigs did not take on as healthy a growth. Where both were omitted the animals became sickly, and seemed to want something which the food and water could not supply. Corn is a very rich food, and it goes to meat and muscle in a way that no other food does when fed to pigs, but its very richness often clogs the system and prevents the best results. The stomachs of the animals can not digest and assimilate it. The same is true of all the other highly concentrated foods. They generally clog the appetite and prevent the highest results. Ashes and salt come in as splendid articles to prevent such disastrous result. They act as tonics and medicine, clearing the system of effete matter, and giving strength and tone to all of the internal organs. It is probably In this way that ashes help the pigs. They set directly upon the digestive organs, but really add nothing to the body. If corn is making the pigs puffed up, and their appetite is poor, a liberal supply of salt and ashes should he given at once. Hard wood ashes of the best quality should be used for this purpose, as they seem to give the best results. The ashes and salt should lie administered in equal quantities, cither with the food or kept in a seperate vessel In the pen for the pigs to take when they felt inclined.

Tho Dairy at Him World’s Fair. Rules to govern (the 'Conduction of dairy tests of breeds at theCoiuuibian Dairy School have been submitted by the sub-committee of tbe Executive, Committee &t the Columbian As-' soevation. There will be two breed tests, one for four months, one month of which is to be devoted to choesemaking; the other for seven months, thirty days and six days and under the same committee as the other. Each cattle association competing shall furnish twenty-five registered cows of their breed, except the Red Polled and Hrown Swiss associations, which may compete with an entry of fifteen cows each. An accurate account will be kept of all food given their'Cows for thirty days before and 'during the test, and all ikindS'Of dairy products so made in the test and charged to the cow so fed at the market value. Owners will be at liberty to feed as they choose, provided ordinary foods are fed to the cattle. Great care will be taken to guard against fraud in every way and the cows will be closely watched as well, also their products, to see that they are exactly as stated. Awards will be made for increase of flesh, the .amount of butter or cheese made by individual cows and for the best dairy and also herd of five cows.

'Note*. 'Give animals daily access to water. Provide good winter shelter for all <dasses<of domestic :ani mals. The quality of the food has much to do withrthe'quality of milk. OsLaccount of maintaining animal heat a more fattening ration should ■be given during the winter than in the summer even with growing pigs. Be 'Careful'Of the .eyes of animals. They are just as delicate as the eyes of human heings. People often work around stcok very carelessly with forks. Blankettnga horse -in the stable makes his coat short and sleek. This makes him look more valuable, and it is easier to keep him .clean than a long-haired horse. The swine breeder who feeds oil meal occasionally, will not regret it. It is atonic and a regulator of the bowels. Care should be taken not to feed too much. Many a fanner never takes the trouble to examine the foot of the horse. The foot is a delicate mechanism that ought >to receive .constant watchfulness. Slush will increase the flow of milk but will not help the quality; and too much slush is in the direction of causing indigestion and is a onesided food. Calves need the best attention,* especially in winter. The growth they have attained during the summer must not be allowed to stop, nor must they be permitted to become poor now.

Those who have tested it claim that sweat spirits of niter is the most valuable preventive of milk fever that is known. Give two ounces immediately after calving, and repeat the dose in two or three hours. A correspondent asks if there is a breed of cows that are especially Cheese cows? Any cow that gives plenty of good milk is a good cheese cow. The Holstein-Friesian has been supposed, however, to have special merit as a cheese cow. The hog is unquestionably proof against diseases to a greater extent than any other living creature. If anything else that breathes were kept in such filthy quarters and fed on such rotten and bad food as thousands of swine are there would be an epidemic.