Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-04-03
RAISE HOGS.

expert on hog raising. The Republi-
can took occasion to ask Mr.. Murphy
a few questions and he said:
"A thoroughbred gilt already bred
will cost, I. 0. b., at Orofino, not to
exceed $50. If bred Dec. /, she will
farrow about March 20, and out OF the
first litter she should raise SIX pigs,
which, if properly cared for, will weigh
FOO pounds, live weight by September
20. Counting all feed at market price
this pork will cost three and onc-half
cents4per pound or s42. At 6 cents the
pigs will bring s72, or net profit of
IS head.
''If given proper attention, the sow
will now have another litter oil eight
pigs one month old. Your sow has in
creased in value at least $40, this in
crease together with the profit on the
eight pigs, will offset the keep of the
sow and the second litter of pigs, SO
you start off litter ahead Of the game
on the second litter.
Clogs should have pasture during
the summer months; alfalfa is the best
with clover a good second. Alfalfa
makes more bone and muscle and con-
sequently builds larger frame, but
produces very little fat. Glover is
very fattening, and without irrigation,
will produce more food per acre than
Alfalfa. Of all fattening foods that
this country produces corn is the best,
with oats a good second; barley and
wheat follow. Barley should be rolled,
and oats should be rolled or ground.
"Root crops have low feeding value
as compared to grain, but their value
is very much increased by feeding in
connection with grain. A bushel Of
carrots or Of artichokes fed in connec-
ton with three bushels OF corn will
give as good results as four bushels OF
corn fed alone. and the hog will keep
in better health on the mixed diet.
4sArtichokas make an excellent win
ter feed for sows and pigs and they
will harvest the crop themselves. Al
falfa or clover pasture should be pro-
vided in season, and alfalfa or clover
hay should be kept in rack where
the hogs can have access to it in win
ter. The hog should at all timeshave
an abundance Of clean water.
"The hog is the most cleanly Of all
our domestic animals, and the most
healthy. No other animal will endure
the abuse in this respect that the hog
will and give the same results.
II hog is given fair show he will
take care Of himself, but when con-
fined to limited area, his needs must
be looked after. Access to salt, wood
ashes and charcoal, plenty Of pure
water; cool, clean sleeping place in
summer, free from dust, and good
bed in winter with plenty Of fresh air
but not exposed to drafts, we'll bal
anced ration in liberal quantities, is
what the hog requires, and he viii
pay better price for these accommo
dations than any other domestic animal
s.Wherc 50bushels ofcorn can be pro
duced to the acre it does not pay to de
vote large acreage to root crops But
enough roots should be provided tt
give the hog relish for the more con-
ntrated foods.
Hogs can be fattened profitably or
RIOTS and pumpkins but it requires {
much longer time to attain the SAME
W sight. 20 one should attempt te
raise hogs without pumpkins, and nc
crop is more easily raised than pump
kins.
"Pine needles make an ideal bed foi
hogs. The turpent;ne in the needles
keeps the hog free from yermin. As
much attention should be given to the
hogs bed as good farmer gives to tie
bedding of his horses.
.sField peas sown in April or May
will furnish fresh feed for the hogs in
July and August when the pastures
are dry.
ANY of the standard breeds OF hogs
will give satisfactory results. The
Chester Whites or Jersey Reds are
general purpose hogs; the Poland
China natures early, and SO on.
1.-THE hog should not be required to
Gator sleep on the ground. His trough
or feeding platform should be kept as
clean as you keep your own table.
This can be done with very little extra
trouble. The pigs should be fed
in pens where the larger hogs
cannot interfere with them.
'.Skim milk forms valuable adjunct
to hogs diet, SO pigs make dairying
moe profitable.
..Hogs can not be expected to do
more than exist on wild grass pasture.
But vetch and winter oats make good
grazing for hogs at time when clover
or alfalfa are not available. Under
favorable conditions alfalfa has no
superior as a forage crop, but in this
locality am inclined to believe clover
will prove to be more profitable.