Milford chronicle., 1913-12-26

Hogpens may
be of the most inexpensive kind, but
they must be kept clean. They need
to be proof against drafts and storms
Clean premises also are essential in
guarding against disease. Two or
three acres Of rape and an acre Of
artichOkes will provide practically all
the fodder required by twenty-five pigs
from weaving till fattening time.
If a supply of skimmilk OF whey is
available 1t will pay to use 1t, and a
light ration Of corn or peas once a day
will be a help. The rape and arti-
chokes may be depended on to bring
the animals on at fair rate of growth
all summer Liberal feeding Of corn
for three or four weeks before mar
keting will assist weight and quality
Of flesh. Any amateur can grow the
crops named and manage a drove Of
pigs.
There is distinct public demand for
the meat Of lightweight hogs ranging
from 200 to 300 pounds The most
profitable pork Is that grown in eight
to ten months. or from April to De
cember. so that there is little winter
feeding. and most of the growth is
obtained from field forage.
Perhaps as good a plan as any is to
market twenty out of twenty-five hogs
late in the fall and carry over the re-
naming FIVE until they are sixteen to
eighteen months old. The bacon mar
ket calls for the larger animal, and
prices are apt TO be higher in the late
winter months than In the fall.
All the breeds Of hogs have their ad-
vOcates. For general purposes nothing
is better than to use dams Of Chester
crossed with males of the Poland
China or Berkshire variety. This kind
Of breeding will give large litters and
good sized animals
In this country the most popular
breed has been the Poland China. This
breed has many good characteristics.
1t is a rapid grower, makes good use
Of food supplied and can be kept ready
for market at any time, either as
sucker. porker or baconer. The litters
are rather small. however and for this
reason. as well as to get a more rangy
animal for general purposes, farmers
are disposed To cross the breeds.
The selection of the male is of great
Importance. as he directly influences
every pig one may have to fatten, and
it depends on his breeding very largely
whether or not the pigs can make
profitable use Of the food given them
AS in the case Of all sires. the male
should be pure bred. Of approved
strain. both with regard to capacity to
put on flesh rapidly and to influence
the SOW In the production of large lit
ters
The dam need not necessarily be
pure bred. provided she is Of a good
type She should be selected from
prolific mother aS fecundity is hered
itary. The tpatS should number at
least twelve fully developed. set well
apart, even in size. and the front teats
well forward on the body. The num-
Der Of teats dues not indicate always
the number Of pigs she is likely to
have Sometimes sOws with ten or
eleven teats will have large litters.
Whether ON range or in pen, hogs
should have medicinal ration made
up as follows: One pound each of
wood charcoal sulphur. salt. baking
soda and sulphidp Of antimOny. Pul
verize and mix thoroughly. Use a
tablespoonful. daily for each pig from
the time they are old enough to run in
the field Add tablespoonful Of bone
meal for each animal and mix the
whole lot with enough mOistened meal
or bran to make palatable mess.
Clean water and shade are essentials. /
Dipping also is advisable. In cases Of
sickness keep those affected away
from the sound ones and take prompt
action to prevent the spread Of disease.