Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-04-24
Aatitultnra
A Swine Pasture.


The practice of good farmers differs in
,esard to he pasturage OF swine according
70 their VARYING circumstances In The
East. where the country is most densely
populated, and pasturage is scarce the
prevailing custom is to keep pigs in the
pen for the greater part of the year. Inc
pest farmers consider the pig too valuable
A laborer in manure making, TO al'o" him
70 waste his energies in roaming the fields.
Breeding swine, both males and sows' are
allowed lit, icensc in green pastures
but the rest of the herd, from the ag" oi
,wo months, until they are slaughtered
are kept in close pens and ia,tened as rap
,dly rs possible. Under this system. pigs
nom ten mouths to year old are
made to weigh about three hundred
hounds each, and 10 manufacture
about ten dollars worth of manure
This system is undoubtedly the best
where all the pasture is needed for cows
and sheep, and where large quantities of
manure are needed for the hoed crops.
In.the West and South, where land is
cheaper, good farmers rely mainly upon
pasturage TO keep their swine growing
through the summer. In the newer set
Elements they run almost wild in the
woods, and derive large part of their liv-
ing from mast. Manure is little priced,
ard the only valao of the pig is his flesh,
when slaughtered. Without committing
ourselves at all to this method Of making
pork, it is conceded, that under certain
circumstances it is desirable to have swine
get their own living.
What sort Of n pasture shall be prepar'
cd for them? A correspondent wants to
know if rye is the best article for them.
Rye is only reliable for few months, and
if sown at all, should Le sown in conpec-
ton with clover and grass seed, TO make n
permanent pasture. NJ. w. Phillips, a
large planter of Mississippi, las discarded
rye, and now sows miXtuIe Of clover,
oats and barley. There is unqucstionably
a good foundation for the proverb ''liv-
ing like pigs in clover" and whatever
seeds are sown, clover should have pro-
yninent place among them. 1t furnishes
a larger amount of le Wes than any Of the
grasses, and is greedily eaten by swins.-
They are not very particular as to the
kind of green food they have, and farm
cr may consult his own convenience as to
The kind of grain, or grass, ne stocks his
pasture with. Variety is better than any
one kind,
After the pasture is stocked, it would
be better not to feed with swine the first
year, unless their noses are jewelled TO
keep them from roofing. IL should not
10 fed closely. A frequent change from
one field to another is desirable, both for
ahe thrift of the plants and of the animals.
Pigs to be fattcned, should be taken out
Of the pasture as early as the first OF SepS
tembe and kept il close pens. They can
then be kept very economically upon corn
cut by the roots, for two months, and fin
j,hed off in November with old corn, or
meal.
Where regular rotation is pursued. the
last year of field of grass may be devoted
to the swine pasture. As the field is TO
be taken up in the Fall fer wheat, rye, or
some other grain, it will be of little con-
sequence if the turf be destroyed by the
roofing OF the swine.