LINSEED AND LIVE STOCK.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2023, 22 March 1890, Page 2

LINSEED AND LIVE STOCK.

Sir,— ]So one who has had any experience m breeding or rearing choice farm stock in the Old World will be ignorant of the almost invaluable properties of linseed as an article of diet to a limited extent. In the stable, the calves’ cot, the cow-house, the feeding stall, or the piggery, it ia equally appreciated- yes, almost indispensable when green forage is no longer available, especially if a n unfavorable season has cut the root crops short At such times dry fodder must be the main stay of the stud, herd, and flock, as hay or straw from the rack, or reduced to chaff with a proportionate mixture of corn meal, or bran. In the latter state the hnseed becomes generally available, and soon shows its nutritive and gentle aperient properties in thrift and healthy condition of all stock favored with an allowance. Of course, it is largely used in the feeding stall and sheep troughs in the shape of crushed oil cake, but I wish to draw attention to another, and more practical, means by which it is equally available to the small or large stock owner. A boiler of a size in proportion to quantities required should be filled with water once or twice a week, and the seed, with a liberal addition of salt, boiled and stined for a time, till the whole assumes a slimy or glutinous state, it can then be allowed to cool down (remaining in the boiler or removed to tub), when it will become a stiff jelly. In this state it is equally applicable to stir up with the calf’s allowance of skim milk, damp the chaff and corn for horses, sheep, and cattle, or stir in amongst the ground pig feed, already mixed with water, for the winter bakon feeding. It is no problem to be worked out, as I have used it for many years with unexceptionable results. The quantities ot seed in proportion to water must be regulated by quantity available for the season, but I have found half a bushel of seed sufficient to thicken a 50-gallon boiler when well boiled. hfnTrT 1 expenence is the best tutor in carrying out experiments. After our protracted drought, which cannot leave us much succulent forage for winter, and a proportionate scarcity of

roots, I thought it not out of place to remind those who are the owners of any linseed of the advisability of bringing it before the public as soon as possible, when doubtless they will find a ready market. I was further urged to discuss the topic, having heard (during the past week) of constipation and internal inflammation ii orse8 ’ wo or three ending fatally. Danger would always remain at a minimum if the above-mentioned combined food and medicine were more generally resorted to.—l am, etc., Enw. Pilbeow.