The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-11-15

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, aud swill made by mix
ing bran. middlings, corn meal, and
pulvcrized oil-cake with water. The
pigs must be made to subsist largely on
growing grass and clover at an early
age. Their pasturage should bc ample,
and of the best quality. 1t has appar-
emily been demonstrated that an acre
of red clover will produce more hog
food than an acre of corn. The clover
requires no cultivation, and is q 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 squashcs are very
profitable to raise for feeding hogs.
They are largely raised in corn-ficlds,
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
crs, 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 un-
certain one TO raise. II is liable to in
jury by drought. too much rain, insects
and small animals. Corn is certainly
very desirable for fattcning hogs, but
cheaper food should be found for feed
ing them while they are growing. An
exclusive corn diet, even for IL few
months, is not desirable. Hogs, like
other animals, delight in variety of
foods. thrive better, and arc 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
rs essential to animal growth as food.
With a pasture seeded to red clover,
orchard or blue grass, supplied with
shade, and furnished with pure water,
hogs can be kept in good growing
coHuitioh uuIllH inc summer At very
small expense. The entire stalks of
sweet corn. pumpkins, sluashcs. arti-
chokes and potatoes will furnish very
cheap food during a 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 desir:-
bic for this purpose are clover, alfalfa,
rye and the fine grasses, that are cut
and stored while they are yet 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 cnsilage 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 the meat
of the millions can no longer be profit
ably produced from corn, Il cheap sub.
stitute for it must be found. - Chicaqo
Times,