St. Paul daily globe., 1889-08-02
FATTENING HOGS.
Some Suggestions of a Farmer as
to the Time and Methods.


There is no particular gain in keeping
the hogs fat during the hot weather of
this month and next. If they can be
kept in a good, thrifty condition, very
short time of heavy feeding will be all
that is necessary to get them ready for
market. And fat animal can hardly
be made comfortable while the weather
is so warm.
1t is very often the case that hogs
that are ready for the market reasona-
bly, early in the fall not only sell at
better price. but return better profit.
If they have been kept granting stead
lily ali summer and all in good condi-
ton, they can be fattened in short
time at less cost than later. They can
still get the benefit of good pasture,
and will keep healthier, and will require
less food to fatten, than if they must
depend upon dry feed alone. Plenty of
grass is usually one of the health
lest and best feeds for any kind of stock,
and while in fattening hogs for market
considerable grain must be supplied,
a lowing them the run of a good pasture
will help materially to lessen the cost.
Corn is the principal material, usually
for fattening hogs, yet it should not be
made an exclusive food or the hogs will
tire of it. and fail to make as good gain
as can be secured if more variety is fur
nished.
When grass and bran slop have been
largely depended upon to keep in
good condition, it will be found best to
begin feeding corn, gradually increaS-
ing the quantity every day until they
are supplied with all they can eat up
clean. To make a change of feed all at
once, from light, open feed. as grass
and slop, to corn, which is very fatten-
ing, and is in addition heating and con
Stipating. will produce more or less dis
order in the digestive organs that should
be avoided.
In fattening stock of any kind it is
always an item to supply them with all
they can eat in such way that there
will be as little waste as possible. Feed
ing more than they will eat up clean is
waste, fnily as much as not to feed
enough. 1t is not the quantity of food
that an animal eats that is of the most
benefit. 1t is always an item in feeding
stock of any kind TO give so as TO derive
the largest benefit. If this is done the
food must be supplied in such form
that it will be properly maSticated and
digested.
No one material is perfect food
6lIn6r III QeVoiOptng DOHe anu lHuScl0
or fattening for market; and while
corn is one of the very best materials
that can be used for fattening hogs. yet
little oats or mill-feed. SlOps and
plenty of grass given with corn will
make up more complete ration and
will give more rapid gain than if corn
alone is depended upon.
A tight floor is necessary in order to
save grain from being wasted. 1t is
not goo plan to feed grain of any
any kind upon the ground: animals get
too much dirt in what they eat and
waste too much grain.
Good trOughs for watering and feed
ing slops should also be provided. Feed
regularly and give good variety and
after they are put on full feed, give
them all they will eat up clean. After
beginning to fatten. they should be
crowded along as fast as possible. AMI
the sooner tnty are made ready Tor
market the better. They can be fat
tened very rapidly. and at a less cost
than at any time later. FARMER.