The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-25
WIN the :, = Ei's z39:
....;SmuU Farmer
By Uncle .Hy1um...
Pig Management

!dgement
ard feeder in those sections of the
United States where it can be grown
successfully. 1t is nutritious and high
ly palatab e. Without it's use it is diff
ficult to imagine how the animal pro-
ducts of the United States could have
attained their present position in the
worlds commerce; and SO long as
meat products are factor of Ameri-
can agriculture corn will probably be
in this country, and the corn belt will
naturally continue to be more or less
the center of feeding operations. On
the other hand the condition is ever
present that farmers in loca tiles
where corn is a limited product have
their own wants to supply. If, in adj
dition to their own needs, the farmers
of these localities can supply a share
of the export demand, great strides
will have been taken in their agrirGi-
tural development for live stock hus-
bandry is the foundation of successful
agriculture
Pens and Pastures.
The question of pens and pastures,
both as to size and location, must be
determined by each one for himself
Local conditions, expense and conven-
fence must be considered A good rule
20 follow is to favor large enclosures
rather than small ones. "A number Of
pens and several pastures will be
found a convenience and are particu-
larly valuable when disease makes it's
appearance, as hogs affected may then
be isolated at once. A quarantine pen
with an absolutely tight fence should
be arranged on every farm where hogs
are kept. Here all newly purchased
hogs should be confined after arriv
ing at the farm until al danger of in
lection is past.
1t viii generally be a satisfactory
practice to keep hogs away from other
stock except when following fattening
steers. Pregnant. brood sows should
never be allowed to run in the same
pards or pastures with cattle, horses
or mules. Many good sows have been
ruined by the playfuness or vicious
ness of the larger farm animals.
Foundation Heru and Care.
Uniformity in herd is the surest
index to the worth of the stock and the
skill of the breeder, and its advantage
es are obvious. A uniform lot of pigs
will feed better, look better when fat
tened, and command higher price on
the market than mixed lot. With
bunch of sows closely conforming to
the same standard, whose reproductive
powers are similar, uniform pigs may
be expected
The Importance of the male in the
herd should not be asserted at the ex-
pense of 'ha females. yet the import
ance of male of marked excellence
must not be minimized. The boar rep
resents so per cent CT the productive
rower of the herd concentrated in one
animal. the sows represent and ejual
amount of productive force, divided up
among 10 or 20 or so individuals. If,
then, these females do not conform
strictly to the same type, they are
merely convenient machines for the
brit hand rearing of the young, not
what they might be, an influential
force in furth ar;Lg the plans of the
breeder and raising the standard OF
the herd.
During the Winter more care will be
needed to keep the sow in good health
on account of the absence of pasture.
Not only does the hogs system crave
green food, but more or less bulk is
demanded. This is. especially needed
when a considerable amount of confine-
ment is necessary. To offset the lack
of green feed nothing surpasses roots.
These may be sliced or pulped and
mixed with grain or may be given
whole, as a noon feed. Some care
must be used in feeding roots, as they
are laxative in effect, and II led in
excessive amounts, may bring about
profuSe action of the bowels. Some
eastern farmers recommend the use
of Stage. If neither is available, Glow
err or alfalfa hay, sheaf oats or corn
fodder, may supply the bulky require
ment of the ration with good results.
Charcoal, ashes, and salt should be
accessible at all times. These act as