The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-03-26
GROWING CROPS FOR HOGS.
Clemson Extension Work.

one of the most profitable branches OF
farming in every section of the coun-
try, it is especially we'll adapted to the
South. To make any branch of live
stock farming profitable, there are
three essentials: First, animals OF
good quality and breeding. Second
an abundance of suitable. feed. Third,
good market for the animals and
their products. 1t is the object OF
this article to discuss briefly the most
economical way of producing feed, in
order that this year we may reduce to
t Q minimum the cost of pork produc-
t on
BY using a portion of the farm for
hog crops, it is comparatively easy
matter to provide grazing crops upon
which, with the addition of a very
small amount of grain, the hogs will
grow and fatten every month in the
year. The plan that we have followed
at Clemson college, with very good re-
suits, is to provide a number OF one
and tWo-acre lots. The size and num-
ber of the lots will depend upon the
number of pigs raised. Beginning ear
ly in March We SOW rape on we'll fer
tilted land at the rate OF six pounds
per acre broadcast. This will furnish
grazing from April Is to July L.
These lots are then planted in cow
meas and soy beans for fall grazing
In some sections, vetch, and red or
crimson clover, sown in the spring,
will furnish good grazing; but we
have much better success by sowing
these crops in the early fall. Peanuts
planted in drills early in May at the
rate of one to one and one-half bushels
Der acre has produced more pork per
acre than any other crop tried so lar.
Cow-peas and soy beans planted IN
drills in April and May, at the rate
of one-half bushel per acre, mature
about the same time as the peanuts,
and can be grazed together; and,
moreover, they furnish a ration that
is unexcelled. for fattening the hogs
for market in the fall. A small patch
Fof early corn is planted to furnish
grain before the field corn has matur-
ed. Sorghum is a popular hog feed
with some farmers, but our expert
ments indicate clearly that it is not
nearly as profitable as many other
crops, but that it is much better suited
for cattle and horses than for hogs.
Planting cow-peas in the field corn
is the cheapest method we have yet de-
yised for fattening hogs in the fall, or
for carrying them until the fall-soWn
crops are ready.
For winter and early spring grazing
there are no crops better than rape and
red clover sown in September, at the
rate of six pounds of rape and eight to
ten pounds of red clover per acre. II
the weather is favorable, the rape Will
he ready to Craze in thirty to forty
DAYS. and will stand grazing all win
ter. Oats and vetch, or wheat and
vetch, sown in September or October,
at the rate of two bushels Of oats and
half bushel of vetch, or one bushel
of wheat and half bushel of vetch,
per acre furnish excellent winter and
spring grazing for sows and young
pigs, and can be grazed until the land
is wanted for peanuts, coW-peas, or
soy beans, the next spring.
Our bermuda lots seeded in white
or burr clover furnish pasture from
March to November, and are essential
on every hog farm.
Profitable pork production in the
South is dependent upon providing
suitable grazing crops to be harvested
by the hogs. The old plan of buying
or using high priced feeds and carry
ing them to the hogs will always result
in failure.
If the farmers of the State who are
interested in hog-raising will corre-
spond with Clemson college, they will
be given all the information and as
sistance necessary to enable them to
make this branch of farming prof.