The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-09-21
THE HOG AND ITS FOOD.

NJ
correspondent OF the Stock Journal gives
some hints for the management Of the hog.
He thinks that the hog faltens most rapidly
in such state of atmosphere as is most con-
genial to his comfort not too hot, nor too
cold. Hence. the months Of September,
October and November are the best for ma
king pork. The more agreeable the weather,
the less is the amount Of food required to
supply the waste Of life. 1t has been found
by experiment that field Of red clover is
the best and cheapest place to keep hogs in
during the spring and summer months. where
they can have plenty of water. and the slop
from the house, and the sour milk from the
dairy. All sour feed contains more nitrogen
green heritage of the spring works of the
impurities OF the blood, cleanses the system,
renoyates the constitution, and enables the
animal TO accumulate store Of strength to
carry il forward in its destined course. A
small patch Of oats or peas to turn into when
the clover fails is good. Some object to
fattening hogs so early IN the season, the In
dian corn depended upon tor that purpose.
not being matured. Taking all things into
consideration. II is better TO feed corn before
il is ripe, as in that state it possesses con.
siderable sweetness, and most varieties are
I IN milk by the first OF September, the hogs
will chew il, swallow the juice and eject the
4 fbrous matter. At this season Of tie wear,
swine can be fed on many articles not ready
marketable, as imperfect fruit. vegetables,
&c. When such articles are used, cooking
them is generally economical. Punkins,
squashes, potatoes and apples boiled or
steamed, mixed with one eighth part in bulk
with mill.lced or meal, whey. and milk left
I to sour. will fatten hogs fast. In this state
they will eat il with avidiiy. and derive more
benefit from il than when fed in an unfer-
mented state. Articles that are of perish.
able nature should be used first, to prevent
waste, as IL - desirable 20 turn all the pro.
ducts Of the farm TO the best account. An.
bther quite important advantage of early
\ feeding is, the less trouble in cooking the
Z food aud keeping il in proper condition tn
( feed out. The convenience Of feeding is
promoted, as there is no expense or trouble
to guard sgainst freezing. The more YOU
can mix the food the better, as they will
4 thrive faster on mixed food than whSn fed
separately. In feeding, no more should be
given at time than Is "caien up clean.
and feeding should be regular as to time.
IL Is Of the greatest importance TO get the
best varieties. those that are wtH formed. and
have an aptitude 10 fake on fat readily. and
consume the least food
I The writer says there is great diversity
Of opinion a. 10 which ia the best kind, but
he prefers the Bcrkshires TO any he has ever
kept. This is also the opinion Of George
Patterson, Esq. of this State, who is proba.
bly the best Judge aud breeder Of live stock
( in the country. and will have no other kind
on his farm. We recently saw there a herd
Of nearly hundred head they reminded q.
\ 81 old times. when there was such q rage "a,
this beautiful breed but they are now gen.
orally disrrgarded. and the Chester hogs are
/ preferred for plantation use. They undoubt.
edly make the best bacon. and are called in
England "the gentlemsn's hog !" they were
I very popular some years ago in this State
but we're very generally discarded. as being
I poor providers for themselves and We knOw
of none that are pure bred. but those on the
! farm Of Mr. Patterson and Mr. X. MciIen.
ry.
4 The correspondent Of the Stock Journal
thinks that a cross Of the Sufolks with the
Brrkshtres make good feeders. and the pork
il excellent; they will usually weigh iron
$50 10 500 pounds at the age of eight 10 ter
nr eleven months. The better way is I,
have the pigs dropped about the first o
April, and feed well until December, ant
butcher. II is wrong TO let hog remair
poor twelve months Of its life. when il coult
be made AZ large in nine months, as il gen
erally il at.flteen months. II pigs are KEEP
well for three months after being dropped
they cannot be stunted after that, even j
the feed is cut short. II is now the opininr
Of our good practical farmers. that feedin.
apples 10 swine is profitable. and that Their
is no crop that pays better according TO it
cost, being fully equal to potatoes by mea
sure, while the expense Is not more thai
three or four cents per bushel. They ar
: BETTER TO feed the stock hogs 10 raw stat
than potatoes, Indeed. be has found but lit
lie benefit in cooking apples for swine.
is desirable that hogs should be provides
with dry floor for eating and sleeping only
the whole pen completely sheltered from th
atmosphere, 10 save any washing Or waste .
manure. One other suggestion :---every far
mer should see that the commonwealth Of N
piggey is furnished with plenty Of straw
potato.yines, leaves. sawdust aud the like
with an occasional load Of muck, and almo'
any quantity of weeds, pea and buckwhea
straw, all of which will be converted int
: the most efficient supports Of vegetable liz
Hogs are the best composers known, as the
delight in upturning any such articles as u
farmer wishes TO convert into manure Tor tll
coming year. Rural Rsgisier.