The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-06-07
News of Interest to the Farmer
HOG RAISING IN THE SOUTH
By E. II. Lloyd.

Notwithstanding the great advan-
taSeS possessed by the Southern States
for profitable hog raising, about so
per cent annually OF all the pork con-
Sumed in those States is imported
This should not be SO. With our facil-
tiles for producing cheap feed, we
should export and not import hog
products. There are some features in
hog raising that should appeal to
every thoughtful farmer. No other
meat-producing animal is capable OF
producing so many young in a year.
In our mild climate where suitable
pastures can be provided for nearly
every month in the year the SOW
should farrOw twice annually. prod duc-
ing one litter in early spring which
can easily be made ready for the late
fall or early winter market and an
other litter in eariv fall To be made
ready for the spring market The
small amount of capital required to
begin with and the quick returns on
the investment should make hog rails
ing especially attractive TO the small
farmer with limited means. The hoa
Will make a pound of gain on less food
than most live stock, and Will profit
ably utilize the waste products around
the farm, dairy and kitchen.
No man should attempt to raise
hogs without adequate pastures. For
pastures, woven wire is the best fenc-
ing material, all things considered.
Around the field to be used for pasture
run woven wire fence thirty inches
high with three strands of barbed
wire above. This fence Will not only
turn hogs but other live stock.
For convenience in preparing the
land and planting the crops it is best
not to divide the pasture UP with per-
manent fences When the crops are
ready for the hogs by using the hur-
~ ~ Soll hEs
divided into lots Of any size. Tho
hurdle fence is simple and cheaply
made and when not in use can DO
taken down and stored under a shed
until needed again
There is a mistaken idea held by
some, that alfalfa. red clover, rape ana
similar crops, will produce profitable
gains when pasturad without grain.
The practical trials made at many eT-
pertinent stations prove this not true
OF the many forage plants. alfalfa ~
one OF the most satisfactory for hogs,
since it can be made a permanent
pasture and is rich in protein. making
a excellent com bina ton with Germ
The leaves are tender and the stern
small which make it easily maSticated
and it is very much relished.
At the Mississippi station careful
tests have been made TO determine the
value of alfalfa pasture without grain
for hogs Pigs ranging in age from
three TO twenty-four months have been
used, and the results Of two years
work show that alfalfa is little more
than a maintenance ration for grow
ing hogs without grain satisfactory
gains have always been secured from
alfalfa pastures by supplementinS the
pasture with from one to two per cent
Of the weight of the hogs in corn or
other grain.
Cowpeas without grain so far has
lN..r
crop for hog pasture. In one test lAe
crop was grown on thin hill land.
where one acre of co"peas produced
$50 pounds of pork. In another test
on rich valley land one acre OF cow
peas produced 4S3 pounds or pork
The hogs were put in the field when
the peas were about ripe.