The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-07-22

E !,
qlI sSs
ssA7~~>~>$2... &S9
sition SO that the trough may be raised
from the ground to the desired height. the
trough proper being placed about a foot
from the top of the side pieces and on
the very top of the side pieces a strip Of
wood is placed. thus preventing the an
imal from getting its feet into the trough
or jumping over 1t. a strong board is
placed at the end of each upright side,
close to the ground, and these boards are
held in place by stakes driven on either
side. This plan holds the entire structure
firm SO that the frisky youngsters cannot
tip 1t over. The expense OF q trough
built on the plan indicated is small and
1t Will pay for Itself In a single season IN
the feed 1t saves.
Advantages of Root Crops.
There has been much controversy of late
years concerning the, relative values of
root crops and silage. This seems to be
one of thesquestions that ought not to be
discussed inasmuch as the two crops In
the writer's opinion at least, are essential
and one will not take the place of the
other except In the sense tina either pro-
vides succulent food for stock. When we
commence to compare the cost of raising
either crop we get Into interesting figures.'
Those who have tried II know that 1t is
hard to sow the seeds of root crops by
hand and they also know that ntil the
plants are large enough to hold their own
1t Is hard work keeping the weeds down.
AS to the feeding values of the two I'M
questionably the stlage Is the most valu-
able and If called upon to decide between
the Two l would select silage every time.
If one has a good silo the root crops will
" their greatest value in furnishing a
variety in the menu, but 1T is where the
silo is unknown that thereof crops ought
to be extensively grown as furnishing a
succulent food and a digestive at COM
paratively small cost. as well as a crop
which may be stored for winter use at
small expense.
Feeding Alfalfa to Hogs.
While the growing Of alfalfa is COM
paratively recent. tanners must expert
ment with 1t more or less until they find
whore 1t can be used to the best advan-
tage. AT present the best returns have
como from cutting and curing the crops
of the season. but in sections where hog
raising is>proftable 1t has been found an
excellent pasturage provided the hogs are
not turned on to 1t until the third season.
1t takes three seasons at least for the
plant to get well established and IL
the swine are turned onto 1t before 1t is
likely to become seriously injured. The
best result in pasturing swine on alfalfa
come from the growing animals and when
the alfalfa pasture is used for growing
hogs 1t is estimated that the grain ration
may be cut one-half at least. There is
the further advantage in pasturing that
the hogs do not require SO much care as
when in confinement or on a range of lin
TIED area and this is quite an item in the
expense of raising swine.
Test for Soil Acidity.
Numerous are the inquiries regarding
the use Of lime and while space has been
given to this subject before the interest
In 1t seems to warrant an occasional artl-
Gle regarding the effect of lime on the
soil as well as. Its effect on plant life.
Strictly speaking lime is not, in any sense,
q plant food. but it brings into the reach
of the growing plant the potash In the
Soil which. until released by the lime, Is
In an insoluble form. The main value of
lime to the soil, however, is Its sw%eetening
qualities or. in other words, the correct
ing of soil acidity and for this purpose it
may be used in varying quantities depend
ing upon the condition of the soil. The
test for soil acidity is easily and i%neXpen-
sively made. Buy 5 cents worth of blue
litnus paper at the drug store, take a
sheet of 1t, make a crack in the soil with
the spade and slipo the sheet of paper in
this crack for two or three inches and
then withdraw the spade. In three or
four days pull out the sheet Of litmus pa
per and If 1t is red there is too much acid
in the soil, and 1t will be greatly benefit
ed by an application of lime. How much
can best be determined by expert
menting. Twenty-Five bushels an acre
will be found u fair application and this
amount yearly will be of great advantage
to any soil that is found by the test TO be
too acid. A good plan is to use the lime
for two years in succession then test the
soil again and i 1t Is not acid omit the
for the third year.
Digestives for Swine.
When farmers recognize the necessity
for treating swine in somewhat the same
manner hat they treat other domestic
animals there will be less disease among
them and they can be grown with less
expense that at present. AS the hogs are
expected to eat anything given them and
grow fat ON such a diet. the necessity for
a digestive is apparent. Take a box that
is good and strong and fasten it at a CON
NSiilSlll SpOl II NllC liO6 IOuSS OF IN lTe
pen, II 1t can be kept covered from the
storm. Then prepare a mixture consist
ing of three-fourths of a bushel of char
coal, two pounds of slaked lime, two
pounds CT common salt and five pounds of
hard wood ashes. Let the hogs eat of this
as they please and they will be
kept in good condition. 1t is also a good
plan to dig up some sod, have 1t thick,
from an old pasture and throw to the hogs
once a week. This viii also assist their
digestion.
Working Young Horses.
1t may be considered that a horse is
fairly termed young until it is eight years
old. ana after that it ought to be ex-
pected to. accomplish any reasonable
amount OF work asked of it without in
jury. | often think we are inclined to
ask too much Of our young horses; we
work them too hard with the same effect
that working children too hard has. ii