The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-19
POINTS FOR
RAlSERS OF
GOOD HOGS
Oklahoma Experiment Station
Issues Valuable Bulletin
PASTURES AND RANGES
Are Necessary for Profitable
Growing Swine,
PASTURES AND RANGES

Guthrie. o. T., march N-The Still
water Agricultural experiment station,
has issued the following bulletin: Pas
ture anu range are necessary in order to
keep breeding swine in a healthy condi-
ton and grow the stock at a profit The
man who tries to raise swine under 9TH
er conditions is playing losing game,
and his balance will be on the debtor
side Of tn eledger just as sure as we have
day and night Although these facts
have been vouched for many times by
experiment stations and successful swine
raisers and given wide publicity, thous-
ands of farmers still continue in trying
to raise hogs in 9 dry lot with nothing
but corn as feed. with the expectations
Of making it a profitable operation.
"A hog pasture does not mean a dust
lot with possibly a few old weeds off in
one corner, but a good and commodious
range, and If planned to give the best
results, it win contain a variety of crops,
selected as to their food value. The
pasture should not be so small that the
hog is compelled to eat mis- own filth to
get the feed. Every farm should have
six to eight acres of hog pasture fenced
purposely for this use. This is in addi-
ton to what range may be utilized out
side at times. Better far to have lit
tie too much than not enough. If the
crop gets ahead Of the hogs and becomes
woody cut it off with the mower and a
new growth win start. This can be
done with many plants and viii pay
even if the moved portion is not gather
ed. The pasture may be greatly ferti-
lized by this method in many cases. The
enclosure should be divided into two or
three parts. at least, SO that while one
part is being pastured, crops may be
growing in the others.
when succulent food IS very essential
the year round for growing and breeding
stock, the exercise is just as necessary.
Pigs confined in pens viii do much bet
ter if they have some green feed, but
the results viii be vastly better if the
pigs are allowed a range and the chance
to gather this feed for themselves.
''Any green crop is much better than
no pasture, but snoe crops for this pur-
pose are very much superior to others,
and variety of crops, even though they
may be much alike in composition, are
superior TO single crop. Many swine
raisers that appreciate the value of a hog
pasture, do not realize the Importance of
giving aattendon to variety and compo-
sition of the plants to be used.
In selecting the crops for a hog pas
ture consider the composition of the
plants as you would consider the COM
position of the grain in ration. Bear
In mind that certain crops are rich in
food nutrient protein, that is so essential
in the animal system to build up the
frame and muscles, and is very neces-
cary in The food of breeding stock. Crops
of tn opposite nature are rich in carbo-
hydrates, the heat and fat forming COM
pounds.
"Endeavor to have some Of the former
to pasture along with latter and the re-
suits will be betten Plants belonging to
the former group. those that are espec-
tally rich IN protein, are alfalfa, clover.
field peas. COW peas, soy beans, vetches
and peanuts. Rape, sorghum. the GER
eals. sweet potatoes and artichokes be-
long to the opposite group. Aside from
being especially valuable for food, the
COW pea group adds greatly to the fer
tility of the soil while growing on it, and
viii give paying yields on soil too poor
for other crops. While a wheat pasture,
or sorghum pasture perhaps is of great
value the results viii be much more sat
isfaetory if COW peas or some like crop
can be pastured at the same time.
In selecting the crops. due attention
should be paid to the point of having
a succession Of crops that win furnish
green feed AT all times. Drouth resist
ing crops should be included for the
drouthy time of year. Some crops with
proper handling will furnish feed almost
the year round while others are suitable
for only one OF the seasons. or a part of
two.
In this list Of crops for hog pasture.
alfalfa wheat, rye and oats win not be
taken UP in full.
Where alfalfa can be grown success
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