The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-25
CARE OF YOUNG HOGS
a CRITICAL PERIOD IN THE
ANIMALS EXISTENCE.
Some Ideas Concerning Feeding
After Harvest-The Things That
Should BE Avoided and Those
Which Should Be DOne-A Sem
sibIe View From the Ohio Farmer
A Mean Weed.

A writer in the Ohio Farmer, John NJ.
jameson, treats of the critical period in the
care of young pigs, particularly during the
weeks when the amin are often turned
loose in the harvest fields to roam for pick
ings. The dangers resulting from this prac-
tiee are forcibiy pointed out by Mr.. Jameson.
His views, which are valuable to all grow
ers Of swine in the Northwest, are printed
below in full:
We notice in our farm papers on account
OF an experiment made at one of the stations
to show the profit in cleaning the grain fields
at er the harvester has gone over them The
expermenters at the Montana station were
careful 70 do what most all farmers fail to
do-remove the pigs from the fields before
the cleaning became too short.
The experiment was no doubt made to show
what may be saved from loss on grain fields
thai have been harvested by the usual Gus
tom and the value of such gleanings to the
pig grower. In the older states ii is hardly
In this direction, for he is usually alive to
his interests. In most all cases they lay
too much store by these gleanings. The
latter part of August and the early part of
ton. in attending the fairs, and it often
comes very convenient to not commence regu-
everyday fall work begins. AS a consequence
the pigs on the grain fields are hardly seen
but are thought to be doing well. gathering
the waste grain and feeding on the young
grass. Possibly the ragweeds on many fields
hide them from view. We notice these weeds
are making fine start on some of the feds
and there is no meaner weed for pig to
roam through when 1t is in full bloom.
Between the cleaning that gives a full
stomach without too great an amount of trav-
el, and new corn, is the most critical ueriod
for the pigs on too many farms. This pre-
pares the way for another critical time when
they begin TO feed grain. Against both of
these mistakes the Montana experimenters
failed to warn their readers. To this we
want 10 call attention. Now Is the time in
the year that the farmer begins to count
what his pigs are going to bring him when
fed out. Instead of putting the pigs on the
field after harvest and letting them hustle
till new grain is ready for them without any
particular attention being given them, the
farmer should utilize this new point in .ha:r
lives a very acceptable bite to give them
a strong start in growth. For they certainl;
make a bound in this direction that should
be made the most of instead of letting it re-
bound to their injury by allowing them to
nearly starye between this time Of bounty
and new corn.
II the pigs are on everyday rations when
they go to the stubbe fields land they should
be-. these rations should not be stopped en-
tirely, but give them such an amount as
they will come to. The observing farmer
will notice very quickly when the gleanings
begin to fail and can gradually increase their
feed. BY this careful work they escape two
critical dangerous and improbable points in
their lives. When they run down in flesh
from lack of food they are improbable to
their owners, and in danger from disease
and lank, starved pig is in the worst pos
sible condition to be fed new corn.
Another point we want 70 call attention to.
The time In the season between the cleaning
and new corn that usually gives the farmer
the least return on account of short feed, is
the season that they should make the best
gain. This season is certainly a most desir-
able one for the farmer to make a profitable
use of by making a good gain. The recent
rains have flushed the pastures so much that
the feeder will not have to guard against
constipation, as is too often the case at this
time when the weather is very dry and the
pastures brown and short. By good care at
the time that the shoats too often ne
elected, they can be made to advance about
one month over the usual time of market
ing. This IS Of much value, as it saves feed
ing against much cold weather.-John NJ.
JaInison.