The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-08-03
LIVE STOCK.
HOGS N CORN.
E. r. TOWLE.
Franklin Co., vt.

The past season has been an unusual
one in the swine trade. With the abun-
dance of grain, pork values have been
low, notwithstanding large losses from
the plague, there has been little advance
in the price of pork in the past six
months. 1t is a difficult question to
answer at present as'to whether corn
can advance along with another good
average crop. There are three months,
however, before the crop for 81 can be
determined. During these three months
it is well for every n who has old
corn to treat it as valuable. Should
the crop for 81 be diminished, in the
average yield by one third, there will
no doubt be an advance over last years
prices for corn OF from one third to one
half. The first alarm in regard to a
dimonished yield following the matur-
ity of grain usually causes a consider
able advance, and in such cases the ad-
vance goes often beyond the needs of
the situation. Such q condition would
do one good service to the farming in
terests. 1t would cause the sale and
shipment of a large portion of the old
grain that is now in store. This would
also enable many farmers to sell q por.
ton of their new crop at a fair price
early in the winter.
One who now has shotes, five months
old and older, would do we'll to crowd
them along rapidly on clover and other
grezing, feeding enough grain to make
4he meat compact. Within a few days
new rye, barley and oatf may be used
and but a small proportion Of dry corn
will be required to give substance to
the product and a variety to the diet.
It is hardly wise to follow the liberal
ration OF new grain with green corn as
is too often the habit, if one may use a
little dry corn instead. The older grain
in store can be sold to good advantage
early, il there is al advance, but il
should not be spared where e moderate
quantity OF it will give good variety
TO the diet of the fattening hogs. 1t
must be particularly remembered,
however, that anything like an exclu,
sive diet on dry corn for young grow,
ing hogs is not desirable. With the
stock nearing maturity and fattenipg
to a finish, a good proportion of grain
that is thoroughly dry is admissible
during the summer and autumn, pro-
uiIn6 than 80 n R,Sa o~nrr1-% "a ~-,L
stantisl grezing to accompany it.
It must be noted that the permanent
value Of corn, because Of which it may
be carried over, if necessary, for sew
eral years in store, makes it impera
tive that all of the more perlshable
foods, such as oats, vegetables and
grez;ng, should be used to the fullest
possible extent. The liability of swine
to the plague, however, should be con
sidered. Too much Of an exclusive d 1876
in either extreme is liable 30 effect the
health. Variety is therefore the me
dunn ground Of safety. Oae cannot
entirely epare the carefully stored dry
corn. One who notes the condition of
his live stock, daily, may be able to
use a greater proportion Of perishable
food If he is critical in detecting symp
toms Of illness. II a successful student
of the study Of the subject of dieting
animals he may by accurate practice
govein the sway Of disease in his herd.
One who understands the use or diet
ing purposes OF grazing, water, lime,
oats IN the hull, and oil meal, should
not sufer from serious losses because
Of the ordinary diseases.
The theory has long prevailed that
the hog was mainly the corn crib COZ,
de1sed, A generation ago in the West
much corn was fed to the hogs as they
wandered on Wild prairies or in the
wild wood. Tie farmer then thoughs
only OF his grain as the cost OF his pork.
In fact, however, the swine running ct
large in those days had a generous
variety of grazing and in addition by
rowing over q great extent Of ground
they found much mineral to satisfy
natures craving. Since the fences
have confined the stock to g narrow
compass, the quantity and quality #