Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-07-18
PAsTUREFOR HOGS. .
Red Clover and Alfalfa ~ Cleaning
gs the sGrAinfeIds, fE

Z
Common red clover is one Of the
most desirable forage plants for hogs
and the one most commonly used in
sections where it has been tried.
Throughout western Oregon, Washing
ton and parts Of Idaho red clover will
grow to great perfection. Even in the
irrigated sections of these states farm
ers are learning that red clover is a
valuable crop. 1t is often mixed with
alfalfa, giving good results. It will
fart quicker than alfalfa and helps
to furnish variety which is always
desirable. Red clover will not furnish
Us much succulent food as alfalfa, for
1T will not make so many growths or
remain green so long.
In some parts of the grain regions ef
eastern Washington and northern Ida
no clover. is claiming considerable at
tention. In the celebrated Palouse re-
gion, which is noted for its grain prod
uct, red clover is gradually gaining a
foothold. In the vicinity Of Moscow,
Ida, clover yielded last season from 13
to IS tons of green forage per acre at
q single cutting. These figures were
obtained by careful weights and meas
urements in the field. A crop of cloy-
lr like this would furnish one of the
most valuable sources Of food for pigs,
both as to cheapness and excellence Of
material In this way pigs can be pas
tured until the grainfelds are ready
for grazing. $50
B Where clover or alfalfa pasture is
available the following plan may be
recommended: Have the pigs farrowed
about March 1. In six weeks turn SOW
and pigs on pasture, which, with a
good supply of pure water and a little
shorts, will keep the pigs growing very
rapidly. With good pasturage, supple
mented with grain or slop, including
=skimmilk or whey, 1t is advisable to
let the pigs run with the SOW until
10 weeks old. The time should, how
ever, be governed somewhat by the
condition of the sow, the growth OF
the pigs and weather conditions. The
SOW and pigs should be fed on. slops
made with shorts, or other mill feed,
and water, before the pasture is ready
to turn into. Skimmi1k will add to the
value of this diet in sections where 1t
Is available. s., ST
II As result both Of experiments and
practical experience lit may be said
that small ration Of grain is very de-
sirable lin fact, almost imperative
with clover or alfalfa pasture or with
n.y. r,,.o ~ r, &, ~, II
take the pigs through the summer to
the time the stubble fields are ready to
CLEAN. AT this point the grain farmer
who has no pigs to clean up the scat
tered grain suffers quite loss, In this
western country there Is less care IN
harvesting, and hence the greater need
Of some stock to save the grain left. in
the field. The hogs can be sold direct
" from the stubble field, or, better, UNI
less the market Is very attractive, they
may be taken from the stubble, finish
ed with ground grain and placed on
the market later In the season. The
market Is usually a little surer just be-
fore cold weather begins than 1t is a
short time after. Pigs treated In this
way can be made to weigh 250 or 300
pounds atsS1s to 8 months Of age. Pork
made In this way will be all that can
be desired In quality, IL good animals
are employed in Its production. An
acre of alfalfa or clover pasture fed In
this Wav ought to produce from 800 to
750 pounds of pork.-H. I. French,
Idaho. RI 58 .s