Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-10-09


their work. corn and anxiety. Some
were even more unfortunate, as they
lost their hogs by cholera after they
were nearly ready for the market.
Many farmers think that no money can
be made in feeding corn to hogs this
wear if the liability TO loss by cholera
and other diseases be taken into con-
sideration. Several stated that there
were few persons at present who made
business of buying corn and feeding
it to hogs At one time there were
MANY in various sections of the country
who made q practice of buying lean
hogs in the fall and feeding them with
corn bought of farmers or in the open
market. This business has become UNI
profitable and risky, and few are will
ing to engage in it.
Obviously the time has come when
good judgment is required to raise pork
with much profit. The animals must
receive attention from the time they
are dropped till they are ready for the
market. Breeds must be selected that
mature early. Breeding sows must be
supplied with food that will insure
their giving large amount of milk for
a considerable period. The larger and
stronger pigs in each litter must be
weaned first, so rs to allow the smaller
and weaker ones a better chance to
thrive. Special pains must be taken
not to allow them to fall off in weight
and condition after they are weaned.
They must be supplied with milk,
kitchen slops, and swill made by mix
ing bran, middlings, corn meal, and
pulverized oil-cake with water. The
pigs must be made to subsist largely on
growing grass and clover at an early
age. Their pasturage should be ample,
and of the best quality. 1t has appar-
emily been demonstrated that an acre
of red clover will produce moro hog
food than an acre of corn, The clover
requires no cultivation, and is a spare
crop in most parts of the west, while
hogs will do all the work of harvesting
it. An acre of bluegrass or orchard
grass produces nearly as much hog food
as an acre of clover.
Farmers in the east have learned
that pumpkins and squaShes are very
profitable TO raise for feeding hogs.
They are largely raised in corn-fields,
on the site of old hay and straw stacks
and manure heaps, and in hills on brok-
en- ground that can not be utilized for
most cultivated crops. Canadian farm
ers, who raise very little corn, find it
profitable to feed roots, potatoes and
peas to pigs. That western farmers
place too much reliance on corn for
raising hogs seems certain. The crop
is an expensive, difficult, and very I'M
certain one to raise. 1t is liable to in
jury BY drought, too much rain, insects
and small animals. Corn is certainly
very desirable for fattening hogs, but
cheaper food should be found for feed
ing them while they are growing. An
exclusive corn diet, even for few
months, is not desirable. Hogs, like
other animals, delight in a variety of
foods, thrive better. and are more
healthy when they are allowed frequent
changes of diet. There is always econ
omy in providing shelter for hogs during
cold weather. in supplying shade in hog
pastures, and in furnishing pure water
to hogs. whether kept in the pen, past
ure or yard. Water is cheap, but it is
dS cSSCllldl w dlIulsti SiOWtH as iOOi.
With pasture seeded to red clover,
orchard or blue grass. supplied with
shade, and furnished with pure water,
hogs can be kept in a good growing
condition during the summer at n very
small expense. The entire stalks OF
sweet corn, pumpkins, squashes, arti-
chokes and potatoes will furnish very
cheap food during portion of the fall.
The experiments made in the eastern
states and England with ensilage for
feeding growing hogs have been very
satisfactory. The plants most desira-
bic for this purpose are clover, alfalfa,
rye and the fine grasses, that are cut
and stored VIII lie they are vet tender
In Germany and France the tops of
sugar beets, and in England the tops of
turnips. are preserved in silos for feed
ing to hogs during the winter. Red
clover, the second growth of fine and
tender grasses, and rye will probably
be found to be the most desirable sub
stances for converting into ensilage for
hogs in this country. The farmers in
the western states can not afford to
allow the bottom to fall OUT of the
pork-producing industry. If tho meat
of the millions can no longer be profit
ably produced from corn, cheap sub
stitute for it must be found. - Chicago
| Times.