Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1903-11-05
N
DING
what Causes ThumpaF


The latest theory regarding thumps
In young pigs is that the disease is due
to spasms OF the diaphragm, probably
due to pressure. The symptom ID Il
sudden jerking movement in the flank.
When pig is standing quietly the jerk
lis very noticeable and may be OF such
violence as to move the whole body
backward and forward. II may be ac-
companied by sound that can be
heard some distance. These contrac-
lions are not rhythmical, but may be
much more frequent at one time than
at another. After exercise, the jerking
is more violent The jerking is also
more pronounced after full meal than
when the stomach Is empty. The causes
are probably full stomach and lack
of exercise. The disease occurs mostly
in filters from mothers that are excep-
tionally heavy mixers and always
takes the latest pigs In the bunch.
Treatment requires an increase in ex-
ercise, and the pigs should be turned
out into alfalfa pasture. Ii they are
kept in a pen give salts or castor oil.
Fifteen or twenty drops each Of tine
ture OF laudanum and digitalis every
two hours until the animal Is relieved
is recommended. Field and Farm.
Yorkshires and Their Meat.
/ notice what the Hope farm man
says about Yorkshire swine how fig
ures show that they did better than the
Berkshire, says a correspondent OF Ru-
raj New Yorker. I think that careful
comparison will show that the York
shire will do better every year. During
the past thirty years have raised sew
eral hundred pigs, and 1 give as re-
suit of what experience have had
more pork OF excellent quality for less
expense from the Yorkshire than any
| other breed of swine have tried. We
always take great pains In dressing
our hogs not only in removing the hair,
but in washing and scraping and shaw
ing them over after they are hung up.
| What looks better than a nice pure
white Yorkshire pig scraped and
washed clean? We usually hang four
or five on a tamarack tree near the
house, and the neighbors often say,
well, your tamarack has borne fine
fruit this year" Aside from color
| there are many other good points
long and deep body, large hams and
shoulders, thick bellies for bacon,
small head, fine ears. strong frame
without being coarse, and they are
very prolific, often bearing from ten to
/ sixteen pigs.
Iron For Hogs.
When hog does not thrive and con-
/ tinually chews nail or some other
1 foreign substance he needs iron In his
1 system Why not supply it? asks Mid
land Farmer. Give him a dose of cop
peras, and he will drop his tail and 60
back to his feed with relish. Pump
kin pie is fine,' but / doubt IL any one
| would want to eat it continually.
Study animal economy; find out why II
is necessary to change the feed Of your
animals. Know the theory, and you
will make success and will have the
satisfaction of knowing your stock are
not starving in the midst of plenty.
i God made everything necessary for
man and beast, and IL stock were al
lowed to roam at will they would find
all the articles that are needed in the
| system. Man has changed natures
law, and unless he supplies those arti-
cles artiicially that are not found In
ordinary food he is the loser.
The Bacon Hog.
Frank Bixby, head buyer for Swift
& Co, says: "There is not as great de
mand for the bacon hog as there used
to be- 1t never has paid in this coun-
try to raise it exclusively, nor do / be.
lieve 1t ever will. We get our bacon
animals weighing from lao to $50
pounds The Berkshire, In my opinion.
is the best bacon hog. Tamworths are
quite satisfactory, but there are not
many of them here, so we hardly con-
slider them. The thin rind hog is also
good for bacon. do not believe that
the American farmer can under pres
emf conditions raise as good bacon al
the Danes or English"