Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-05-05
Pigs ARE FORACERS BUT
NOT GOOD SCAYENGERS
Good Wholesome Food Will Pay Big
Returns, Say Agricultural
Experts.
GREEN FOODS OF GREAT
VALUE AS FATTENERS
Rotation Of Crops Has Great Influence
ON Amount Of Moisture
Needed.

Washington, May 5.-Farmers and
pig growers do not always appreciate
the value Of green feeds and suceulent
pastures for their animals. Too often
the hog is considered q scavenger and
his ability to utilize waste is regarded
as his chief value. However well the
pig serves tnis purpose, IL viii pay for
ood care, feed and housing. Forage
crops are especially beneficial to young
animals. 1t is possible to grow them
much more profitably and successfully
when good green field of palatablc
and nutritious pasturage is provided.
Experiments and practical farmers
experiences prove that gains in weight
are made at less cost on forage than
on the dry lot. Brood sows can be car
ried through the season on pasture at
less cost than when grain fields are
entirely depended upon. Foraging in
ducos the animal to exercise and OBJ
tain fresh air and makes hogs cleaner
and more wholesome. The exercise aud
air prevent the contraction of disease.
When animals so reared are put in
tae fattening pens their gains are un.
usually rapid and profitable. The
green foods are of much value lust TO
keep the pigs digestive organs in good
condition and the appetite keen. The
entire hog herd can bo run on forage
crops and will profit by this method Of
management.
Water ana Soils.
Don II. Bark, of Boise, in charge of
Investigations by the department of
agriculture, relating to the duty of wa
ter has written statement which
shows that rotation of crops and soil
fertility has great influence on fix.
ing tho amount of water needed for
proper crop production.
:" 1t has bocn long KNOWN saws
Bark, "tnat a much greater Weld of
grain or potatoes and other crops could
be made on fertile ground such as al.
iaita sod than could DC made upon raw
arid soils that have never been fertil.
laed In any way. Little has been
known, however, as to the irrigation
requirements of the increased yield on
the fertile, soils.
"The duty of the water investica
tion which has been carried an
throughout Idaho during the last foui
years by the United States irrigation
investigation department in coopera
tion with the state land board ha,
thrown much new hight on this sub
4 ject. 70
Blue stem wheat on new soil thai
had never previously been cropped OF
fortified, produced 1000 pounds OF
grain to the acre with an application
OF III acrefoot at the GoodinI expert
ment station during the 1910 season
while tho same wheat on the same
ground during the season of 1911 pro
dueed but 1928 pounds of wheat tC
the acre with an application of l.;
acrefoot per acre showing q consider
ably less efficiency from tine water be
cause of the decreased fertility of the
soil. An experiment with Big Foul
oats showed similar results.
Make Use Of the Straw.
On many farms the straw is not only
not made use Of, but the farmer con
siders it a nuisance. So the straw
stacks are burned. On the exclusiv,
grain farm, to use the straw is yer,
difficult problem. Some tests tina
have been made indicate that it nigh
he spread over the grain fields as
light coating-over the fall wheat il
the autumn-tO help nold the snow an,
to hold the soil in windy district.
The best method of utilizing tn,
straw, however, is to increase the live
stock until all the products of tn,
farm, including the straw, are used NJ
in caring for the animals. Such
farm will wear longer, will work easiei