The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-07-15
FLORIDA FARMERS
AND THEIR WORK

of Georgia and find almost as many
ways of feeding and caring for the
hogs. Some feed slops almost entire
ly. The little pigs are fed slops and
the sows that are bred are also fed
slops. Most Of these report satisfac-
tory results from their method, and
some herds showed that they were
yielding good returns, but others told
by their appearance, better than any
word from their owner could tell, that
conditions were not exactly right
There were entirely too many culls
and runts among the pigs, and while
this was probably due to some extent
to the breeding, the feeding and car
ing for them has a far greater influ-
ence on the first few weeks of the pigs
life.
When the SOW farrows, II she is a
good sucker. there is great danger
Of Scours in the pigs for the first week
or ten days. The sow should be fed
very little for a week, after which the
feed can be gradually increased until
at the end of three weeks you have
her on full feed of the kind that will
produce the most milk. II the pigs
feed down one half or more and put
handful or more of sulphur in each
feed for three or four foods. This will
usually bring the pigs around in good
shape again in three or four days.
Be sure and see to it that the SOW
is not constfpated at time Of farrow-
ing, as this will cause trouble in the
pigs nine times out Of ten.
In drying up the sows that have
sucked spring filters you can allow
one of several ways. The best way is
to leave the pigs with the SOW until
she quits milking and drys up on her
own account. However, If you decide
to wean the pigs earlier take them
away from the SOW all except the two
smallest, which leave with the SOW
two or three days. You can then re-
two the other, which ought to dry the
SOW up in good shape.
Still another way is to take the pigs
away from the SOW, letting them all
back once a day for two or three days,
afterwards leaving them away entire
ly. No matter what method you fol-
low, keep a close watch on the sows
and keep the teats we'll creased to
keep them from getting hard. 1t is
very little trouble to dry up most
sows, but occasionally you find a per-
sistent mixer that may give you some
trouble, and 1t requires close attention
to keep from running her.
Aside from the proper feeding of
the sow and pigs, your herd boar
Snould nave the very best OF attention,
both in and out of breeding season.
Good, rich food and plenty Of exercise
and green stuff will keep him in prop
er condition. Good breeding condition
for boar is what people generally
call too fat. He must be in good con-
dition If he gets good, strong, vigorous
pigs.
Always breed your sows In a crate
made for the purpose, and ono service
IL sufficient. You can buy these crates
already made for $50, or for 50 you
can make one yourself that will an
swer the purpose fairly we'll. What is
wanted Is a crate that will hold the
SOW in place. keep her from lying down
and at the same time furnish supports
for the bears feet in case he is very
large. You had best begin using your
boar with the crate when small, other
wise when he gets larger and you have
to use 1t he will not serve a SOW in it.
Keep dstes Of all services and when
due to farrow. You are better pre-
pared to care for the sows in this waY,
and can bring them around in proper
condition by plugging time.
c. ". FOWLER.
Clifton Farms, Marietta, Ga.