The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1910-01-28

,uuvn more than pay the cost of keep.
Ing them throughout the summer. In
number Of experiments That have
been conducted along this line II hns
been found that sows two years old or
over nj narrowing time produce nearly
30 per cent more pigs than ycnrling
sows. The pigs from the two-ycnroId
sows were considerably larger nt birth
and made - per cent faster gains
aftcrwnrd. Old sows are much less
liable to trouble at farrowing time
and they give II great deal more milk
than young sows do.
Another general practice Is to use IA
seven or eight months old boar for
breeding purposes. This results I'm
smaller filters and smaller and less
vigorous pigs. The boar should he nj
least n year old ut time of service. A
boar that proves to bc II satisfactory
sire should he kept until his daughters
reach breeding age. IL not longer.
If warm narrowing quarters can bc
provided, late March or early April is
the best time for the sows to farrow.
The pigs are then in good shape to
make rapid gains on grass all sum
mcr Where the climate Is cold or
good accommodation for the sows
cannot be provided ii is better to have
the pigs come little later
The boar should be kept in a pen by
himself or with n few bred sows IL he
worries too much and the sows are
brought to him to be bred one scrv-
ice is as good as half dozen The
SOW should be taken away as soon as
served and record of the service
made. An aged. vigorous boar may
be allowed two sows day when
handled In this way. breeding
crate is an advantage unless the boar
and sow are about the same size.
When the boar is allowed to run
with the sows all the time his
strength is wasted by worrying and
| repeated services. and he is less sure
| The dates of breeding cannot be kept
| in this way, so that when fnrrOwinE
| time comes there is no means OF
knowing when to expect the pigs
| Sows should not be fat at farrowing
| time but should be in good thrifty
| condition and should be kept 80
| throughout the winter. Plenty OF cN
ercise is also essential If vigorous pigs
are to be produced.
when the pigs come early and old
Sows are used fail filters may often be
raised at IA profit. This is specially so il
| plenty of milk can be had. The cost OF
| feed is greater with fall filters because
| Of lack of grass. There are also consid-
| cradle loss and lack of profitable gains
unless good shelter can be provided
| Individual conditions, together with
few trials. will determine whether or
not fall pigs can be proftabIy grown
for market When raised for breeding
purposes fall pigs can always be sold
at good profit as warnings.
Central Versus Colony System.
There are two general plans of han
ding hogs. the centralized system and
the colony system. The central sys-
| TEN consists of one large hog house
where all the hogs are kept both win
ter and summer. The colony system
| consists OF number of small houses.
| each with its pasture. These small
houses can be moved up close to the
other buildings for convenience in win
| ter.
The central system is an advantage
| in winter. as warmer quarters can be-
provided. II is also much more con
venient to feed and handle hogs when
they are all together in this manner.
The advantage of the colony system
| is that the houses can be moved from
place to place wherever they are need
ed There is less liability OF disease
when the hogs are kept in small
droves. and disease can be more read
lily handled If it does break out. The
| pigs can be sorted according to size
and will do better than II they all run
together This system also has the ad-
vantage of cheapness. The main dis
advantage is that it Is great deal
more work TO care Cor the hogs in
scattered lots
On most farms combination OF the
| two systems will be found desirable.
Some individual houses will be needed
to house the pigs when they are run
ming on the different fields and for eH