SALT FOR CATTLE.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 31, 17 November 1900, Page 6

SALT FOR CATTLE.

Many years ago (remarks a Home paper) it was the practice to keep rock salt in the fields for the cattle to lick, but it is very seldom done now. There is a very great doubt whether farmers are right in discontinuing the practice, and whether they sufficiently appreciate the result which follows in the use of salt in the production of milk. At the Mississippi Experimental Station a trial was made in this direction, which is thus summarised : From June 20th to July 18th, three cows were kept without salt, the milk from each cow being weighed twice daily, from July 4th to July 18th. From July 18th to August Ist the same cows received 4oz of salt each. The milk given during the two periods was as follows : For the period with salt, 5641 b ; for period without salt, 4541 b ; gain from use of salt, 1101 b. The man who keeps salt where his herd can have access to it will undoubtedly profit thereby. Salt is also required for digestion, and we may even suppose that at times certain diseases are warded off by its use.