Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-27

raised entirely on grazing crops and q
limited grain ration. Pigs were grazed on
clover. sorghum and peanuts, i lilo acres
In ali, and consumed 5000 worth Of
wheat bran and shelled corn. The pigs
were sold at Ss.25 per hundredweight and
made a profit of AZ per head, the &C
tual cost Of the pork per pound being IL
cents. There is thus every reason to be-
lieve that under intelligent management
pork can be made on grazing crops at
form one-third to one-half the cost where
corn alone Is fed. IL is the cheapening
OF the cost Of meat products that makes
the profits to the farmer. Why not utilize
grazing crops in the light of these facts.
and make the hogs harvest the crop at
the same timer The labor problem is now
very serious one, and this is one way
OF economizing with satisfactory results
I desire particularly to emphasize the
advantages the curing of fancy hams has
over ordinary methods of pork raising.
and 10 specially urge on the small farm
er the opportunity which II opens to him.
Remember that choice hams can be made
by the small farmer just as well as by
the oEyner of several thousand acres of
land.
MANAGEMENT OF THE BROOD soWs
In many sections where the snawfall
ton, hogs can be grazed practically ali
the year. In other places winter feeding
for, say three or four months, will be
necessary. This need not entail great ex-
pense. however II the sows are so bred
and handled as to farrow sometime dur
ing the month OF March or April. It will
not be desirable to wean them for at
least eight weeks. and along in early
April. depending on the locality, graz
ing crops will be available and the sow
and litter can then be turned out and
the little pigs given the most favorable
environment at an early age, and accus-
toned to eat green food. Only
comparatively small amount of grain will
be needed during the winter. This may
be made up of some corn, but for the
brood SOW should not consist Of more
than one-third corn. Some clover hay
will be eaten with relish, and a few
tons OF peavine pods viii practically
maintain the brood sow through the win
ter with a few ears of corn added daily
TO give variety to the ration. Wherever
Stops or skim milk are available they
should be utilized and II the corn is old
and hard, II is better to grind 1t and
feed as a thin slop. II will not pay to
cook the food, though II any roots or
tubers are available, a small quantity
given to the SOW each day will stimulate
the milk iow and help to keep the sys-
tenn in a healthy condition. little bran
ehould be fed occasionally, and crushed
oats. barley or wheat may be used 10
advantage. There is always some waste
food on the farm, enough at least 20
maintain a few brood sows through the
winter season. During the early spring
when the grazing crops are young and
succulent. even though they be legumes'
Il will be necessary to feed some grain
TO secure the best results. In fact. II is
desirable to fed little grain until some
OF the pod-bearing legumes, like the cow
pea and soy bean, are ready; for though
hogs will do extremely well on alfalfa
or red clover. still they will do enough
better to pay for the grain consumed
and II one wishes TO grow them rapidly
and uniformly. and have them make as
much as a pound and a half of gain per
head per day. liberal feeding even on
choice pastures must be followed. Where
mast Is available. hogs will need less
grain, though they will of course mol
grow as rapidly as where given little
each day.