The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-11-29
A Talk About swine Growing.

Mr.. G. C. Conklin Is \ successful swine
breeder. He has had years Of experience in
Iowa and Minnesota and is we'll acquainted
with all the peculisrities Of climate and soil
in Dakota. He il m enthusiast on the
swine question, because he has made money
in breeding hogs for sale, and feeding them
for pork. Being in the Office Of The Farmer
and Breeder the other day we interviewed
him briefly as to his methods, etc. The talk
was about after this manner: .
How do you feed and care for your brood
sows in winterf ~ .
Ans. l keep them well housed, clean out
their pens every day and give them plenty
Of clean bedding. l feed them no corn, but
plenty Of bran and shorts Il part bran to 2
Of shorts-mixed with water. l warm the
water if the weather is very cold. l burn
or char corn cobs and give to them fire.
quently. Soft coal is good. Not having
either of them / would char wood and throw
to them. 1t is also a good plan to give them
a dose of sulphur. Root crops are excellent
for hogs in winter. I give them clover hay
cut it up and mix with the mash. and also
throw it to them whole. Hogs will eat a
great deal of this day. Nothing suits them
better.
What about exercise?
Ans. always provide a yard for them
to run in at will. Exercise is As necessary
to them Is are good food and water.
Any change in treatment Just previous to
narrowing?
Ans. Yes, I feed very lightly for three
or four days. Of course l know exactly
when the sows are to farrow. l do not feed
them at all for the first "a hours after far
rowing. Then gradually resume the bran
mash ~rations.
When do you prefer to have the pigs
dropped?
Ans. In. this climate April is soon
enough, though here, as elsewhere, if l had
every facility for handling them and keep.
ing them warm and comfortable l should
prefer March pigs. Az q rule, however,
farmers here will succeed best with April
itters.
What care do you give the young pigs?
In two or three weeks, If given a little
trough by themselves, they will begin cat
ing. The soonep they 10 this the better fol
the SOW, for a full litter of growing pigs i,
a heavy strain upon the mother. Encourage
them to eat all you can. Always keep The
pigs growing right along. They will soor
begin on green clover if they can get it, and
[ tell you clover pasture Ii a great thing in
hog raising. Running on clover through
the summer and we'll fed towards the close
Of tina, period on corn (perhaps barley will
do - we'll. but I have had no experience
with it, these April pigs may be made tt
weigh $50 to 275 lbs each when nine month.
old. Then 10 the time to sell, you have thet
got all tie money there is in them. Farther
feeding is far less profitable and the ma,
who carries them over winter is "bsat."
Any special treatment for young pigs o.
hogs generally 3?
Yes, at weaving time separate the small
and weaker ones from the strong pushing
fellows. II lett together the former do no
get . fair show at the feed. Separated ant
given extra care for . while they will maxi
Ms much pork as the others. If pigs ar
quarrelsome, catch the offenders and knocl
off the small sharp side teeth lone on, eaci
side-wi,h viii h they do their fighting. i
will tone them down as dehornihg does f..
bull. >,3
If many hogs are kept on . farm do no
keep too many together if you expect to hav'
a healthy, profitable herd. Divide them in
to small lots. 1t will. be som trouble Ant
expense Of course. hut it will pay. Occa
s~ionAlly sprinkle a little carbolic acid abou
their pens in winter, especially their bed
ding. There is none in pork raising
everywhere more than in most kinds o
farming. i have never lost = hog from
cholers though the disease has been in pen
within 20 rods OF mine.
MIR. Conklin will give our readers an &C
c~asienal item on swine rearing and fatten
ing.-Fargc, n. W. Farmer md Breeder fo1
Nov.
1 "F- g ~ E-. @~r"g 81 g-g|ErL -ry.=w& E .GHE