Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-06
DaiIp kenrlehfr JnurnaI.
Making swine-Feeding Profitable.


The prevailing idea among farmers in
the New England and Middle States, that
swine can only be made profitable in the
West. is susceptible of criticism. This
belief has gained ground during the past
few years, with the increase of Western
competition, and in many localities farm
ers are giving less attention to this class
Of stock each year. 1t is true that hogs
raised largely and fattened exclusively
upon corn. worth in the market more than
seventy cents per bushel. are costly AMI
mails by the time they are ready for the
farmers meat barrel or the butchers
table. and with this management it re-
quires little study to figure up positive
loss. Yet this is the method followed bv
the majority Of Eastern farmers in keep
ing pigs.
The most successful swine feeders in
the West and in all parts Of the country fer
that matter. produce their pork largely
upon clover and grass. The animals are
only finished off, or fattened on corn.
This mode OF raising pigs is essential to
success in the East owing to the high
price Of corn, and If other cheaper food
can be substituted for the corn. in fatten.
ing. the chances Of success are still
better. The most successful swine feeder
in this locality feeds his pigs no grain
whatever, but substitutes hotel garbage
for both growing and fattening the ami
mails, and the business, when carried on
properly, near cities or villages. often
gives large profit for labor and money
expended. The only way by which swine
can be profitably grown and fattened. is
to supply cheap food for the animals Ia
grow on. Corn may be fed to produce
tat, but not growth, for with grain at pre-
vailing prices. it does not require long
time for growing pigs to ''eat their heads
Of" Eastern farmers can make swine
profitable by giving the pigs the run of
clover and grass pastures during the sum
mer. and supplying such other food. aside
from grain, that may be at hand. In tat
tening. boiled roots, pumpkins, apples,
&c. may be fed. in connection with corn.
In making pork for market, early spring
pigs are preferable to those of any other
age, and tor this reason a warm place is
needed for the sows when farrowing. For
home use, prefer fall pigs. kept in grow
ing condition during the following sum
mer, and fattened early in the fall. Such
pigs make more side meat, or mess pork.
according to their weight, than younger
animals. For an early market the smaller
ones are usually preferred. In feeding
swine for market, it is important to take ad
vantage of an early demand. when pork
usually sells for or 8 cents more per
pound than later, when markets are well
supplied. In wintering store hogs, it is
important to provide comfortable quarters
with plenty Of dry straw for bedding, and
to give the animals ample opportunity for
exercise. Roots, kitchen slops and clover
hay make good winter feed tor store hogs,
and may be supplied at little expense.
1t is hardly necessary to bring up the
importance of keeping only the best breeds
OF swine. The expense OF procuring we'll
bred stock is SO small with this class of
farm animals, that no prudent farmer will
tolerate an ill-bred pig in his herd. 1t is
a common mistake to confine growing
pigs and store hogs in small pens and
yards, which become filthy and unhealthy
for the animals. II can hardly be expect
ed that swine will prove profitable stock
when confined in small pens or yards, with
plank floors, or muddy, filthy, bare sur
faces, and fed on dishwater, soapsuds and
a little corn This is the system practis-
ed by those who are free to say that
"swine don't pay" Select good, we'll
bred pigs, provide nutritious, healthful
and cheap food. and comfortable quarters,
and swine will prove fairly profitable,
even in years of high priced corn.