The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-09-21
WHAT AN ASCENSION BOY DID.

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Showing Value Of Pig Clubs in Train
ing Young Farmers.
I The school boys clubs have IN
questionably proven most valuable
aid in fostering interest on the part
OF the youths in general farming.
| Nearly every department of farming
is being; taught in the public schools
of the state and the result obtained
by some Of the pupils have, in some
instances, been remarkable and graft
flying. The following letter written
/ by an Ascension youth only sixteen
years old, who attended the Oak
Grove school at Hope Villa, in the
Ieighth ward Of this parish, gives an
example Of the possibilities which
might be attained iny correct and ex-.
pert hog raising:
Hope Villa, La, Aug. 81, 1912.
Mr. E. S. Richardson, Director Agri-
cultural Extension, Louisiana
State University, Baton Rouge,
La.
Dear Sir hope that you will par
don me for the liberty that am.
taking in writing you. am mem
Der of the Boys Hog Club and join
ed when Mr.. Balls came down to- the
Oak Grove Agricultural High School
opening.
I purchased a Duroc Jersey gilt
from MI. Mayer, Baton Rouge, La,
for twenty dollars. Farrowed Octo-
Der |, 1911. Received December II,
1911. Weighed 20 pounds.
I at once began to feed her a bal
anced ration as near as possible, be-
ginning with boiled corn, kitchen
slop without washing powders.
have fed cabbage, turnips, beets,
Irish and sweet potatoes. My pig
on January 16 weighed Sc pounds Fed
some with rice polish and always
kept plenty Of fresh water, ashes,
copperas, salt, charcoal, with very
small amount Of sulphur within her
reach. I fed her three times per
day about one and half quarts, in
creasing feed as she grew older. On
January ~ she weighed rs pounds.
On February she weighed ISL
pounds
On February Is an old cow was kill
ed that was not suitable for beef
and l took part of her and boiled it
with sweet and Irish potatoes, turnips
and cabbage Fed this until Febru-
/ 1#ary 26, and my hog weighed ~
pounds Continued the same feed,
the secpnd sIa he'd
fgg, 81 5f E8 in
! Weighed on the 5tIh of March, she
weighed 1856 pounds, a gain Of %
pounds in days. Weighed her again
| on the 9th, she weighed 145 pounds,
a gain Of 10 pounds in 10 days. On
the 18th of March / began feeding
on boiled potatoes and corn and
kitchen Stop and on the End of April
weighed ITO pounds. Fed corn, rice
/ polish, grazed on oats and beets and
April %, 200 pounds. Then fed milk,
lrice polish, corn, and tender lespedeza
as grazing: also fed Watermelons,
| cantaloupe and cucumbers. Weigh
| ed on July %, 800 pounds. At
| present she weighs $40 pounds, but
she suffers excessively from heat.
Stays in artesian water most of the
time
| But as Isexpect to go to T.. S.=U.
next month, / am in a quandary as to
| what ] shall do with my hog. The
parish fair will not take place until
| after have gone. live only about
fifteen miles from Baton Rouge; do
| not know whether could get off to
| come to the fair or not. II she
should happen to fall off do you think
| would be allowed anything on the
Gains that she made when she was
younger?
Professor Abbott, principal of the
agricultural department of the Oak
Grove agricultural school, and who is
also parish club manager of AS
eension parish, saw my pig almost
every day and can Vouch for what
have told you.
You will notice the gains made
while I was feeding on the beef were
very rapid. I did not estimate the
beef as costing anything, because it
would have been thrown away, and
SO would the milk and the small po-
tatoes, etc.
am sending. a tWo-cent stamp and
| il it would not be asking too much,
would you send me an answer ana
oblige?
Thanking you for your kind atten-
ton, I remain,
| Yours truly,
BENTLEY MACKAY.
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