The Democratic advocate., 1907-08-23
Hogs And Hot Weather.

The average farmer has learned by OBJ
servation and experience that for good
profits in growing animals he must look
out for their comfort or, in other words,
provide for their physical needs. As hot
weather RACES hogs especially require GER
tain provisions to be made to insure them
against discomfort which sometimes
amounts to actual suffering and consequent
loss, for unless they are comfortable they
will not make thrifty growth.
The old saying "Any place or anything
is good enough for hog is not believed
by those who regard the hog as the kind
Of mortgage litter that has Gifted many
man out of the "slough of despond"
caused by debt, but there are others who
have not given much thought to comfort
as factor in profitable pork production.
We say it takes only a little thought and
not much time to make provision for
plenty of green food, preferably in a pas
ture, where hogs can eat grass, clover or
other forage crops at will. This satisfies
their hunger, and they make good gain
at small expense if a little grain be fed in
addition, and the best part is that when
allowed to Craze at will they will eat when
they are hungry little at a time and do
not devour a large mess of stuff at one
meal, thus gorging themselves and invit-
ing indigestion with its attendant disorders.
OF course, this danger from indigestion
is present as result of the gluttonous eat
ing at any time of the year, but it seems
as if in summer hogs, like human beings,
are more susceptible to diseases which re-
suit from any arrangement of the diges-
tive function, and for that reason need to
be provided with means to get the bulk of
their food in the natural way, a little at a
time, thus not overtaxing the stomach.
1t will be noticed that hogs on pasture
will in hot weather be out getting their
breakfast in the gray dawn of the morn
ing, and they get their fill before the sun
is high. After which they seek the shade
and lie there for hours during the heat Of
the day, not venturing from their retreat
unless they are thirsty.
Water they must have, and if they can
not have access to running brook or
stream some provisions must be made so
that fresh water is at hand for their needs
as required How to make such provi-
sion must be figured out by each farmer
for himself, for he alone knows the means
he has at command. The problem of
water supply for the hogs, like any other,
will yield to little study, but whatever
the cost water must be provided if the hogs
are to be comfortable in hot weather.
Shade as one of the requisites of COM
fort has barely been touched on, but next
to proper food and plenty of water it is
urgently needed IF there are no trees or
bushes that afford protection from the sun
cheap frames may be erected which will
support roof that may be covered with
any litter at hand that will keep out the
SUM- Old boards, straw or hay will serve
the purpose.
| We have not mentioned wallows as a
means of securing comfort, for the opin-
ions of up date hog raisers do not agree
as to their value No doubt muddy little
holes holding only filth and stagnant water
are menace to the health both of animals
and people, but hogs seem to derive great
comfort from contact with clean mud, and
if some arrangement could be made so
that the called sanitary wallow' would
be practicable it is all right; but in the ab-
sence of such one dependence must be
placed on pasture, pure, cool water and
shade to secure comfort for hogs.