The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-05-15
ALFALFA FOR HOG PASTURES
crop VIII Give Better Results for
Grazing Purposes Than Any
Other Forage Known.

Alfalfa will give better results for
hog grazing purposes than any otner
forage Known. 1t Is a heterogeneous
forage, rich in protein and calcium,
and therefore furnishes the necessary
protein and mineral matter for the
highest development Of bone and mus
Gle. 1t is a very excellent early for
age, since it begins growth early IN
the spring. When supplemented with
corn to the extent of one-half Of a full
ration or to the extent OF two per cent
Of the weight Of the hogs,
the best results are obtained.
When alfalfa Is fed alone 1t
is about equal to a maintenance ra-
ton; so when corr is fed with 1t ev-
cry pound will be used for the pro-
duction of gain. Alfalfa and corn, we
believe, will produce a greater net
profit to the farmer than any other
combination known.
Under ordinary conditions alfalfa
will forage from 10 to 20 shoats per
acre. A new seeding should be pas
tured very lightly the first season.
No larger number than 10 shoats per
acre or one SOW and her litter should
be used. After the first season as
high as 20 head per acre or two soWs
and their filters may be pastured on
1t throughout the season. In any
event. it should not be p%astured so
closely that no woody growth will
take place. A very good rule to go by
Is not to pasture it so closely but that
one cutting Of hay may be taken on
In the fore part Of the season.
One years experiment with alfalfa
has been completed, and very salts
factory results have been obtained.
Ic July of 1909 the ground intended
for alfalfa IN plot number 4, was
plowed and worked until a firm bot
tom with a fine seed bed on top was
obtained. This was then worked once
each week thereafter until August
18th, when two bushels Of soil, taken
from a field growing successfully a
crop of alfalfa, and six barrels OF lime
were sown, and then the plot seeded
to alfalfa, at the rate OF 80 pounds
per acre. A very thick, heavy stand
was obtained, which was pastured for
the first season in 1910. The expert
ment was begun with the number OF
hogs at the rate Of IL per acre; but
on May "a 1t was thought best for
The sake Of the alfalfa to reduce the
number to 10 per acre, at which rate
It was pastured throughout the re-
mainder of the season. The hogs
r.eu were purchased Of a local farmer
and were crossbred Poland China
Tamworths. They were narrowed in
early winter, and were in thin to
medium condition Of flesh at the be-
ginning Of the experiment. The av-
erage initial weight was 58.5 lbs, and
the average final weight was 1S1.O1
lbs. The forage was supplemented
with corn meal in sufficient quantity
70 produce the standard gain OF three
fourths of a pound per hundred
weight per day. The alfalfa was &
inches high at the beginning of the
experiment.
The average amount of grain re-
ouired to produce a pound gain was
3.O7 pounds. The amount Of pork
that could be accredited to the alfalfa
forage was 1868 pounds per acre.
With pork at 6 cents the return per
acre was S35.71; with pork at 7 cents
s41.6S; and with pork at 8 cents.
SAT. 64.-Missouri Experiment Station.