Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-02

FIG. xXvL-GooD TYPE OF BERKSHIRE
stuff. The mistake in feeding corn
comes in feeding it exclusively. Some
foodstuff rich in protein should be
fed with it, as this element is needed
in considerable quantities in the pro-
duction of young.
Feeding the Brood Sow.
Some succulent and loosening feed
should also be given to keep the bowels
in order when the sows are not on
| grass. There is no feed that will take
the place of grass for brood Sows, but
it is OF course impossible to obtain
this in winter. A little silage may be
! fed, although it should not be given
! in large amounts. Pumpkins. squashes
and roots of all kir DIS are excellent. 1t
is a good plan to have a cellar under
/ part of the hog house in which such
feed can be stored. If the true value
of this vegetable adjunct were under
stood properly it would be seen at once
how important it is to provide a way
to keep a store Of these aids to diges-
ton for winter use.
Hogs have small stomachs and are
more adapted to grain than to rough
age yet the mistake of giving the feed
in too concentrated a form should not
be made. A little bran will dilute the
heavier feeds Cut clover or alfalfa
hay may be used for the same pur-
pose.
: a hayrack built at one side Of
the pen and kept filed with good
clover hay is good thing. The sows
will eat large amounts of it and relish
it. The feed of brood sows should
be given dry or slightly moistened.
never in the form Of slOp. Pigs from
slop fed -sows are overlarge, are born
with difficulty and are weak and fiabby.
Where plenty of skimmilk can be had
it makes an excellent addition to the
ration. 1t is more especially a feed for
young pigs than for brood sows. how
ever The following are a few rations
for brood sOws that have given good
success:
Corn, one-third; oats. one-third; bran.
one-third
Corn. nine-tenths; tankage. one-tenth.
Corn. one-half; clover or alfalfa. one
half
If the clover or alfalfa is cut before
1 feeding and soaked from one feed to
the next it can be mixed with the grain
part of the ration and all given to-
gether These feeds should be given
at the rate of One-half to three-quar-
tiers of pound per hundred pounds of
live weight. according to the condition
of the sows. If some of the sows tend
to get too fat while the others are only
in good condition, it will pay to put
them in a pen where they can be fed
separately. Pumpkins and roots make
valuable addition to any of these ra-
tons. AS narrowing time approaches a
little oilmeal, about five pounds to 100
pounds Of the other feed, may be add
i ed to the ration to advantage.
Plenty of fresh water is essential for
the brood sows and the other hogs as
we'll at all seasons of the year If the
farm is equipped with a water system,
the hog house. it will be a great con-
venience In the summer barrels or
small tanks with automatic waterers
attached furnish a constant supply of
tlean water.
Care at narrowing Time.
A few days before the sow is due to
farrow she should be given a pen by
} herself, so that she may become ac-
, customed to it and feel at home when
, narrowing time comes. Bed the pen
with good clean straw. but do not use
J too much of it. as the pigs will be
more likely to get tangled up and lain
on. If the SOW is inclined to be rest
less tenders about eight inches high
around the pen help to prevent her
| from lying on the pigs. The feed
{ should be gradually reduced until the
last day before narrowing, when the