The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1914-12-19


ny hogs is that the rations must be so
,alanced as to fulfill all the require
nents of growth and expenditure OF
,nergy, while they should also contain
enough bulk and moisture to make
borough elimination possible. The
most important constituent OF the
alton is protein, and it has been es'
.imated that ~ pounds of digestlole
protein is required daily for every 1oo
mounds of the hogs weight. This
requirement should always
he exceeded to a slight extent, how
ever, as there is constant factor or
waste due to the fact that digestion OF
protein is never quite complete. On
this basis the pig would require, IN
practice, from three-fifths of a pound
of protein up to four-ffths Of pound
until three or four months old, after
which the amount should be around
three-ffths of pound, varied accord
ing to the purposes of feeding.
The next essential constituent in the
feed is the carbohydrate, and the
amount needed of this increases with
the growth of the pig. 1t is claimed
that one-half of a pound daily of car
bohydrate per cwt. of pig is required
for it's maintenance alone, and an adj
ditional one-fifth of a pound per cWt.
per day for growth and waste due to
imperfect digestion. The latter pro,
portion should be increased to three
tenths of a pound when the pig is
seven or eight months old, and may
then be regulated according to the
purpose of feeding. The more the
hog must rustic for his feed, the great
err proportion of carbohydrates will be
required, as they have to supply the
energy needed when any muscular ef
fort is made.
inorganic Minerals Necessary.
An important point in feeding is tina
the hog should have free access tt
charcoal, lime, wood ashes, salt O
bonemeal, which supply needed cleans
ling substances and the mineral cor
stituents for bone and muscle. 1t is o
greatest importance that the hog b
given plenty of pure water. From l
to IL pounds is needed daily for ever
100 pounds of pig when it is frs
weaned, but the amount drops as tn
pig grows until at maturity only on
third that amount will be required. I
summer much of the water may b
; given with the feed, forming slop; bl
in winter dry feeding and free acces
:: to pure drinking water give bette
: results.
Feeds relatively high in protein al
conducive to the best results. Thes
are obtained largely from forage crop
{ like alfalfa and clover or milk, suppl
5 mented with grains comparatively 10
: in fat. To produce meat and fat III
corn, wheat, rye, oats, peas, bean
I alfalfa, forage, and pasture, in coml
!: nations to make balanced rations.
Alfalfa and clover are staple forai
and hay crops Grazing is practice
3 in spring, summer, and fall, and
{ winter cured hay is fed whole
/ chopped and ground into meal. F
I prompt and economical returns t
/ pasture and grazing system, wi
/ weather conditions especially fave
Z able to pork production, is the me
Z profitable. Is is essential that no
I should have access to forage a
( pasture, whether they are in the {
I veloping or fattening period.
~ Composition of Alfalfa Hay.
The composition of pound OF alta
g hay is 1885 per cent protein, 81
p per cent carbohydrates, and 1888
). cent fat. Green alfalfa is 1893 prote
Z 11.20 carbohydrates and 0.41 fat
z falfa silage is 3 per cent protein, 8
= per cent carbohydrates and 100 ]
e cent fat. Alfalfa ranks with corn
e a base feed for hogs, and the time
h not distant when every pork-produ
Z will have to rely on it to compete W
z producers who have abundant for,
y feeds.
y The cost of grain and fatten
= feeds will be higher in the future ;
e only such abundant and easily-gro
< feeds as alfalfa will fill the breach
Z tween the cost of growing and event
z profits. So far hog feeders have
- found a forage plant to compart v
g. it for all-around hog development,
. have they begun to get anything
the full benefits out of the plant