Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-11-04
Pig Farminy-A New Departure.

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pleasant social occasion, where friends
from the city and country met. They
came singly, in families and in crowds.
All were met ut the gate and made
welcome by the host, Colonel L. ID.
Curtis, and escorted to the door,
where they were received by the
hostess. The lunch room was open,
where there was invited opportunity
for all to refresh themselves. A tour
Of the grounds followed in compan-
les, under the direction of neighbors,
TO the root fields, the stables, where
the Jerseys and Ayrshires were quar-
tered, and to the piggery, and then
into the orchard, where 1873 pigs Of
different breeds and colors were feed
ing on apples and mangels. The
meaning of "pig party" was now re-
vealed, but better understood when
the bell rung at 3 o'clock, and the
guests all assembled under the grand
old trees in front of the mansion and
in the rooms, and the proprietor un-
folded his plan of new departure in
pig raising. He said, standing on
the front piazza, where all could hear,
that he had become satisfied that pigs
can be raised at less cost in the East
and put into the market than we have
been in the habit of doing. This is
necessary if we expect To compete
with the West, where corn, the great
staple provender for pigs, can be
raised so much cheaper than with us.
The ''pig party" was made TO see the
results of an experiment. 1t began
practically last year, when 4 field of
clover was seeded for the pig-pasturc,
and 4 crop of roots was gathered
upon which to keep the pigs through
the winter. The pigs were fed up to
the time of the coming of the young
on raw roots, and he never had
stronger or better ones. AS soon as
the clover was large enough, they
were all, old and young, turned into it,
The old ones were fed nothing, but
the little ones were taught to come
into an inclosure where they were
fed n small quantity of corn three
times a day. At first two quarts
were sufficient for a feed, and this
amount was gradually increased as
the pigs grew larger, until they re-
ceived a half bushel. This was all
the food they had, both old and
young, until patch of sweet corn,
I TaIa fa1
when portion was cut up and given
TO them morning and night. The
sweet corn stalks were followed by
Early Amber sugar cane, which was
similarly fed until the lst of October,
when they were turned into the or.
chard and mangels, TO help themselves
as the guests had seen. When these
are all consumed they will he put into
another field to eat the refuse roots,
and the crop of turnips which are
now growing for them. This latter
supply he expects will be ample food
for them until cold weather, when
they will be fed corn If necessary to
tit them for slaughter. He has ex.
pended thus far 800 in extra food
for the mothers before turning them
into the clover after the pigs were
born, and for the young ones during
the summer. lie has already sold
$75 worth of pigs, and the increase
now on hand, l20 in all, have only
cost for extra feed purchased, the
sum of $25. He thinks that this
number of pigs will not cost over
three cents a pound when ready to
kill. With him, and he thinks it
proper conclusion, the question of
cost is of more account in raising
pigs than to see how large they can
be made or how fat. If large pig
or very fat one costs as much as it
Is worth there will be no margin for
profit. Under this system pigs will
be healthy food, which he feels sure
is not always the case when they are
confined in pens to breathe the fumes
of filth and always given heating and
stimulating food.
His pigs have plenty of fresh air,
and all the benefit of being on the
ground and eating food which must
be healthful. Such meat must be
more desirable. The over-fat pigs
are not wanted by butchers, as people
nowadays do not relish so much lard.
The lighter ones are suitable for
bacon, and, having plenty of exercise,
develop lean meat with the fat. He
has more Red Berkshires than any
other, because they possess, natural
ly, more of this desirable quality
lean meat mingled with the fat--than
any other breed. They are longer in
the body and rapid growers. The
windfalls and ripe apples are worth
more for the pigs TO eat than for any
other use, as there Is no labor attach
ed TO them. The item of labor is an