The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-05-12
agricultural,
From Tie Country Gentleman.
Feeding Hogs ON Hay.

Feeding Hogs on Hay.
There IS not an animal on the list of
CUR domestic tribe. in whose care there is
ynqFe disparity of treatment than that OF
the hog Ard none probably towards
which more really erroneous ideas are en-
tertaiued Of is needs. Of his capacities,
or of his ability to recompense the care
aud attention due him as member of the
iarm-yard circle. In very many, perhaps
might say in great ma iorlty of instanc-
s., he j. the subject of the most unwar-
rantable neglect; and though naturally
hardy and trained by usage to acquiesce
;n the seYerest hardships, his elongated
countenance and his shattered oonstitu-
lion, his feeble appetite, and emaoiated
and shiyeripg frame, serve as just
(though unhceded) rebuke upon his keep
er's iuhnmaRily. Animals SO treated va
ry in their acknowledgements to their
owners by way of returns, for the bounty
Of life, and some thirteen months starya-
tioD, and say three of partial access to Of
tal, corn and pumpkins, from $50 to 200
pounds Of rather streaky bacon. Now
This system is highly Objectionable and
even reprehenslble on the score Of its in
humanizing effect on all concerned in it.
And in order to show that humane and
generous coarse towards even hog, will
pay, ! may mention that my neighbor,
j. ii. Y sold, the past week, 8 lot Of pigs
s.! months old, some of which weighed
over 250 pounds, and have myself fed
them to average 325 pounds each at s
moptle old.
There is diversity of opinion respect
ing the economy of oOnhning pigs in the
pen. My idea of this matter is, that un-
der judicous treatment in other respects
confinement for the most part is decided
ly the most economical. But, of course,
their treatment must be SO managed, as
10 secure a healthy and vigorous appe-
tite. And | have not the slightest doubt
from careful experiments conducted with
a view of determining the matter, that it
pays well to crafty their appetites.
In order to maintaia healthy eondi-
tion of the digestive and secretory organs,
Two or three things are essential. The
first Of these is to supply them with whole.
some food IN suitable quantity at regular
intervals, in such variety as will conform
20 the demands of their nature, 10 our
artificial treatment of domestic animals,
as we'll as of trees, and plants, due gefoy-
ence must be had to the natural laws by
which these are governed. So then as
the hog is BY nature disposed to muzzle
in the earth for roots, &c, and persist in
reaching it,. often at the expense Of hard
digging, | have, In order to meet this de-
mand of his nature, had recourse to sods .
from the waysido or woods earth occa-
sionally thrown to them, which never
fails to afford thom much qualification.
IN the treatment of stock hogs, in addi-
tion TO suitable amount of ground grain
given in slop, they should have their daily
allowance Of green clover or grass; or when
these are not available, as in winter, a
liberal supply Of 4" hay seeds" from the
barn should be mixed with their slop,
either Of which they will eat with avidity;
aud at the same time they derive as much
nourishment from this as they could by
grazing on fresh cloverfeld, the condi- !
tion requisite to the maintenance Of gen
eral health and uniform thrift are thus Sc
cured and from any observations that
Lave been able to make, know Of no
method by which so great an amount of
growth aud weight can be induced with
equal cost Of feed in the winter season as
by this haying system.
Ny plan of coming at it, is to have the
barn entry cleared up every day, the hay
being raked away carefully, the clover
heads, leaves &c, remaining, are thrown
into cask kept for that purpose A por-
tion of this is placed in the hog-trough at
each feeding previous to throwing in the
slop, and if the hay is sound they will de-
YOUR the whole with as much zest as can
be desired. The advantages of this treat
mcnt will be obvious to any one on lit
tie reflection; and its practicability rem
dered equally SO by any fair experiment.
Shoats of three months are old enough to
commence eating this kind of food; though
i should be given in small quantities at
first, and may afterWards be increased as
their capacity for managing it increases.
! believe the manure which may be made
and saved by keeping hogs penned, will
more than repay any trouble it may be to
care for them, and if this care is judicious-
ly applied, greater returns may be realiz-
ed from the capital employed, than by al
loving them to run at large. G.
WEST GROVE, Chester Co., Pa.
To Subdue "a Kicking Horse.