Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-18
R0UND.UPS.
A Few Suggestions on the Feeding and
Management of Swine.
The Mutton We Eat, the Cattle We Export and
other Items from the Range and
the Markets.

H. E. Singleton of Lebanon, Tex, in
an article in the Farm and Ranch makes
come good suggestions on the breeding
and management of swine, and as swine
raising is fast becoming one of the lead
ing industries in Texas, the views Of Mr..
''To lay down any general rule by
which the selection of brood sows can be
made would be a rather difficult under
taking, as it is a fact conceded by most
breeders that the most promising young
sows are frequently the Ieast profitable
as breeders. Yet there are some rules
that should be applied when in search of
this class of stock.
Look first to the strength and develop
ment OF the constitutional organs. This
IS indicated by the exterior development
of the cavities they occupy; good depth
and width, straight upper and lower line,
indicating plenty of room for the internal
machinery. Next look to the pedigree
or family, If il be from family noted
for the prolifiCness of its ancestors, ana
the animal is Individually good, we can
conclude with some degree of certainty
tlat the animal would make a good
breeder. We would rather make seleo-
tons from sows that were eight OF ten
months old than younger ones land would
be particular IN ascertaining that they
had been fed on a ration that would pro-
duce a healthy development of bone,
muscle and the internal organs.
The SOW should have pasture of some
kind to run In, where they can get eXer-
clse and have green food at all seasons of
the year; her ration should be such as to
keep UP her vital forces and not to make
her fat, A very excellent combination
we have found in ground oats, wheat
bran and cornmeal, equal proportions
with pGhpE5asS potatoes, sorghum,
fallen fruit from the orchard, etc. With
the young SONS or gifts more corn and
shorts might s,be added, and give them
all they will eat up clean. Push them for
ward rs rapidly as possible; do not be
afraid of getting them too fat if they
have room for exercise. They should be
bred to harrow their litter when twelve
TO sixteen months old. Crowd them
from he time they are bred until about
narrowing time. Let them at all times
have access 10 plenty of pure water aud
see that they get il plentifuIlF.
All sOws, old and young, should have
dry, warm quarters to Sleep in, and not
more than three or four should be al
lowed to sleep together. A few days be-
fore they are due 10 farroW eRohssow
should have q separate pen and be Kept
as quiet as possible. BY referring to your
register and allowing lI2 days from the
date of coupling, you will know when TO
look for some little candidates for the
pork barrel or the more important posi-
ton of a place in some euterprising
hreeder's herd. For few days prior to
faFI'eWing the feed of the SOW should be
gradually reduced, and for twenty-four
hours after narrowing feed nothing, but
have plentiful supply OF fresh water
convenient where her ladyship can get to
it at her viii. Then commence feeding
light slops OF bran, increasing amount
and quality of feed each day until she,
has been brought back to full rGtions. r
BY this means avoid fever. cGked bag,
the loss of the litter and perhaps the use
fuluess of the SOW for further breeding.
Three things 1 would particularly i'm
press upon my readers are these: /.
Supply plenty of pure water at all sea-
sons. 3. Allow your breeding animals
room for exercise, with comfortable
sleeping apartments. 8. Never make a
sudden change Of feed, either in guam
tity or quality. The brood SOW should
he handled frequently, kept gentle,
treated kindly, and you will transform
her from the most contrary of brutes to
one of the most intelligent animals on
the farm.