The National tribune., 1894-04-26
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
SWIM E-RAISING.
Quick MISUNDERSTANDING.

2uCh
In many respects swine-raising is the
leading animal industry of this country, aud
1t gives quicker and surer returns than any
other. For these two reasons alone ID is an
industry that is of the greatest importance
to the majority of farmers. Some may claim
that the dairy business is one that EQUALS
that of swine-raising in these respects, but
to make dairying great success it is neces-
sary to spend some time in building ND a
herd of valuable animals, and the returns
at first are always slow. It might be fur
ther added that swine husbandry can be
started with the least invested capital of any
other, and that even the poorest farmer can af-
ford to start with half adozen swine Returns
are always absolutely sure in swine-raising,
for there is no loss. Should the market be
overstocked, the meat is always Of value to
the farmer for family use, and later the pork
may sell well.
In swine husbandry as a speciality there
is, however. vast difference between that
and ordinary raising of one or two hogs on
the farm. In order to go into the business
largely the owner must understand eonsid-
erable about the science of breeding and
feeding. One of the causes Of failure in
swine husbandry is due to general ignorance
OF these two points. Nearly everyone raises
few hogs, and, consequently, thinks that he
can make the business pay when conducted
On larger scale. Many reason that it is an
easy matter to raise hogs by giving them
swiil and the general refuse and garbage of
the farm, with some corn to fatten them.
Such people generally fail in making money
with swine and are the ones who complain
about the business.
Another great cause OF failure is over
stocking. This may be considered from
several points of view. As clover and grass
are essential to the cheap production of hogs,
1T Is poor policy to keep so many swine on
the place as to make it impossible to give
them their share of clover. The farm is
overstccked when it is necessary to buy
clover to feed them, or to depend entirely
upon corn and grains. Where farm is
overstocked with swine, there will generally
be found plenty Of inferior animals. The
tendency Is to pay more attention to guam
tity than to quality, and the herd, conse-
quently, soon degenerates. OYer-stocking
Is always Improbable.
Quick returns and quick profits should be
the aim of the swine breeder. Most of the
labOrs of the farmer are paid for only after
years of waiting. From the time that the
hogs are brought into this world until they
are sold they should be fed literally, so that
they will grow rapidly. The quicker the
animals mature the better the meat is which
they produce. Forcing is always good, pro-
vided that it is not carried so far as to injure
the digestive organs of the animals. That
is the danger line. Forcing with rich grain
food tends to injure the stomach, but plenty
i 4
danger.-AmericaD CRltirator.
Asparagus should be grown on every farm
When not near a market, enough should be
grown to supply the farmers table. It is
very easy to grow, requiring very little care,
and for the amount of ground required it
makes larger returns than any other vegeta-
BILE. 1t comes at time of the year when
other vegetables are scarce, when the vege-
tables stored last Fall are exhausted, or if
any are left are in poor condition, and when
the new vegetables have not yet attained
sufficient size to eat.
A space of so feet by eight feet may be
selected in some part of the garden where
it will least interfere with blowing, and on
this should be spread wellrotted manure.
We would advise when only q small plot Ia
to be planted that plants be bought from
some scotsman, as they cost very little, ana
from two to three years is gained. Thes
plants should be set in the plot selected, at
depth of from four to six inches No care
is required, except to keep free from weeds,
until the shoots become large enough to cut.
They will attain sufficient size in the second
or third year, according to the soil.
It is well to encourage birds to nest about
the farm by planting trees and placing boxes
in them. All birds are insect eaters, and
although many of them damage the fruit,
this loss is more than offset by the destruc-
tion of insects. Even the hawk and the owl,
which were thought to be the farmers
worst enemies among the feathered tribe,
have been found to be emore friends than enc
mics. Birds are the farmers natural friends,
and any protection that can be afforded
them will be repaid.
Very little is gained, and sometimes much
is lost, by turning cattle on pasture before
the grass is well started. The grass is eaten
so close by the animals that its growth is
often checked. Keep the cattle in the yards
until the grass has attained several inches
growth and the ground has become solid
again after the Spring rains.
A fine hay crop cannot be grown on land
that is exhausted from long cropping, unless
manure of some kind is isapplied. Yet. some
farmers try to raise hay crop on land that
can no longer be used for grain. Before
sowing the grass seed liberal amount Of
manure should be spread on the ground
and the land thoroughly narrowed and
rolled.
Old fowls may be anointed with a mix
ture of lard, sulphur and kerosene oil, but
simple lard is best for young chickens.
Persian insect powder busted through the
plumage is, perhaps, the best remedy for
all ages, but more expensive than some home
made remedy.
Strawberries, when grown in rows, require
Some coarse straw is best for this
purpose. Sawdust does not make good
mulch, as when it becomes dry it will stick
TO the ripe berries and injure their appear
ance
Sugar beets are worth more as feed for
dairy cows during the Winter months than
they will bring at a sugar factory. They
contain much nutriment, and when mixed
with other food increase the flow of milk.
A very good grating wax is made by dis
solving one pound of rosin in three pounds