The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1881-04-28
csRs Or BRrrpme sows.

During the month of April a great
many pigs viii be narrowed, and few
words in regard TO the care Of brood
sows is not out Of place at This time,
in view Of the uncxceptionablc severity
of the present season. The necessity OF
providing dry, warm quarters for such
sows, if not already supplied, was new
or more urgent than this spring. The
heavy falls of snow have made il nearly
impossible for swine to move about
muck. They are imprisoned, SO to
speak, confined in barns. sheds and
pens, and unable to get much exercise
except what can be obtained in their
quarters. and if too much crowded, the
brood sows cannot do well. While car
rying her young the sow should have
opportunity for exercise, and be flen-
crously fed, but not on too such food.
During a considerable portion OF the
ordinary winter in the latitude OF the
central Western States, the weather adj
mits of the turning out Of swine on
pasture where they may occasionally
get Il nibble Of blue grass or other
green vegetable matter. Since the mid
die Of last November tho severity of
the season has precluded this, and
hence the necessity Of feeding swine
liberal supply of vegetable food, such
as sugar bccts, turnips, mangolds, po-
tatocs, apples, artichokes, ETC., and this
applies especially to brood sows. Su-
gar bects are admirably suited TO this
purpose. Besides being very produc-
tive aud easily kept uninjured all VIM
ter in pits, they are highly rclished by
swine, and indeed, by all kinds of live
stock, and their effect upon domestic
animo,s is very salutary, as they sid in
keeping them in a healthy condition.
Thus fed, SONS scarcely ever devour
their own Young, as is often the case
when fcvcrish from being fed on corn
for considerable length Of time. An
expo rienced farmer is aware that il is
an easy matter to raise aud store bcets,
ar,ichokcs, turnips, pumpkins, apples,
and other vegetable products of this
character, and he knows, too, that when
they arc fed with judgment he viii be
abGudaHtly repaid for the labor and
cost Of raising them; but the fact re-
mains that many farmers give this mat
Ter little attention; 1t is well, therefore,
70 call attention to il now and thea and
| to suggest that those who fai! to pro-
vide such vegetable food for their stock,
stand very much in their own light.
That many valual brood SONS are utter
| ly ruined by constant corn and meal
diet. does not admit Of doubt, and the
Prairie Farmer. therefore, emphasizes
the importance of a more judiciOus
course in the selection Of their food.
Another thing that is worthy of men
ton in this connection is the bad habit
Of permitting brood sows, when heavy
and awkward, to run among horses and
cattle, whereby numerous and annoy
ing accidents occur. Lit,ers of very
fine pigs are lost, and sometimes the SOW
herself dies from kick or other injury
received by person of this unwise poll
cy.
From various sources and sections
we learn that few pigs are being winter
cd over this season. Wherever corn
has been scarce and high the shoats and
many breeding animals also were dis
posed of. In such places it is morcn ne
ccssary that extra care should be given
to the brood sows that are left. SO as to
raise as many pigs as possibic.-Puirfe
EdrIler