The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-12-26
The Sow aA IL Milker.

If we were to consider the breeding sow
from the milking standpoint, and feed her
to that end her good health and the health
of her progeny would be very much better
than we find it when we neglect or overlook
that trait. Feed for milk production we
are led to conclude is quite different from
feed from fattening, and the two exert
very different influences on the animal,
whatever it is. The COW is fed for milk,
and to bring milk giving prominently to the
front certain things not fed in profu-
sion A corn diet fattens the cow and it
burns out the cow, and does the same thing
for the SOW or other breeding animal Feed
Ing for fat and feeding for milk are anti
pOdal in their effects all animal life. Our
very best dairymen get Succulence into COW
feed, and use bran, silage, roots and the
like, to make plenty Of milk. The SOW re-
quires quite similar trea tment to cause her
to give milk. The COW fattened soon ceases
to breed, so does the SOW. The best milk
ers among cows are the most regular breed
ers, so are the best milking sows the best
breeders. Good breeding sows show high
degree of fecundity, and that indicate good
health and long life; and the same rule ap-
plies to the SOW. The good milking COW is
never fat neither should the SOW be that
is to be a good breeder be made fat. The
mixer should be we'll fed on what makes
milk, and what makes milk makes vigOr.
Fatness is not vigor, nor is it any evidence
OF it, What will grow bone and muscle in
the pig must come from the SOW before and
after parturitiOn, and what comes from the
sow she must get in her feed, as she can
not make muscle and milk from the fat
producing elements of her feed. Wheat and
its by products are excellent for milk and
muscle; silage added to this makes COM
plete ration for the cow, but not for the
milking SOW. She needs succuence in a
different shape with less fiber in it, as she
cannot chew the cud With wheat or it's
by-prOducts the SOW will get vigor and
muscle making nutriments; with some roots
added she will get what will cause an am
pie flow of milk. Where roots are not avail
able, a Stop fed sweet will cause milk to
come Giving milk is natural to the breed
ing female and when she does not milk
freely she is not profitable, nor is her man.
mary glands in the most healthy condition.
The Western hog raiser should make it a
point to have good milking sows He
should feed for milk, and select his gifts
with {, view to milking. The pigs always
do well when the dam is so fed They come
strong and stand much cold or other unto
ward usage, and they grow better on the
dams milk than on any prepared ration in
their early days. Where pastures are bare
or covered during the pregnancy of the SOW
with snow, see to it that she has succulent
feed. 1t digests better than dry feed, and
as all flesh is half water anyway, moisture
must be present when maternity lays trib-
ute upon the breeding animal I'll not con-
cude that roots would freeze, the SOW
should have a lodging place that will not
freeze roots nor slop. Nothing makes milk
like milk, it is so easily digested and has
all the required constituents. If it is skim
milk or butter milk add little fax meal
OF Oil cake to put back the fat, or you may
here safely add corn. Corn and skim milk
make good feed for the brood sow.-Farm
and Dairy.