The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1915-11-26

So tlSIdcLOry IL adequate Sneller Is pro-
vided. Otherwise, however, large
losses occur III the fall litters during
cold weather. Fall pigs can be win
.ered at comparatively low cost, but
they should be farrowed sufficiently
early to make good growth before
cold weather. The following year
they can be economically fattened on
grain and alfalfa pasture and market
ed soon after midsummer Spring
from alfalfa pasture with a Q to 3 per
cent ration of grain increased in the
fall. In this way they can be finished
for market before Christmas.
An acre Of alfalfa furnishes ample
grazing for twelve 100-pound shotes,
but with proper methods more can be
carried. The best results are obtain
ed from dividing the pasture into two
parts, using each alternately. Excess
sive pasturage should be avoided at
all times. 1t is the best to provide
more alfalfa than the hogs can feed
down closely and to clip the pasture
when the general alfalfa crop is cut.
When a grain ration Of 8 pounds
day for each 100 pounds Of live
weight is fed, the most advantageous
returns from an acre of alfalfa are
apparently secured. With usual prices
for grain 2 to 3 per cent ration
can be made profitable.
Corn is the principal grain used to
supplement alfalfa pasture and hay.
While the average yield in 1914 on
the project was only 15H bushels per
acre, a large number of farmers Sc
cured a yield of 40 bushels and few
of more than so bushels. Those farm
ers who tried hogging down the CORR
in 1914 report very satisfactory re-
suits. This method is an inexpensive
way of harvesting the corn, and
it also adds considerable quantity
of fertilizer to the soil. In the report
recently published by the Department
of Agriculture of the demonstration
work on the project, this method Is
strongly recommended for general
adoption. The use of self-feeders is
also recommended, and it is stated
that twice as many we're in use on
the project in 1914 as in 1913.
Denver is the chief market for the
fat hogs raised on the project about
two-thirds of which are shipped by the
farmers themselves and one-third sold
to local buyers. Cooperative shipping
it is said, might be profitably practic-
ed to a greater extent than it is now.
The chief problem, however, con-
fronting hog raisers on the project
is the control of disease. The natur
al conditions are such, 1t is said, that
the health of the animals should be
good and their quarters easily main
tanned In a sanitary condition. On
the other hand, the universal use Of
irrigation water furnishes a ready
channel for diss minating disease,
and the only way Of overcoming this
danger is by means of community CO.
operation.
Hog cholera appeared on the project
in 1913 and was widespread early in
1914. The campaign against the dis
ease was directed (D toward the Sc
curing and enforcing of quarantine
order; (2) to securing prompt reports
of all outbreaks in order to treat the
hogs i'll the infected herds; and CD
to improving sanitary conditions. Hogs
which showed visible symptoms Of the
sickness were either killed or placed
in quarantine pen in order to keep
them from spreading Infection. The
other hogs in the exposed herds were
treated with anti-hog- cholera serum.
Altogether, in the six months from
July / to December 81, 1914, 1887
hogs were treated with the serum,
the average loss being reduced to 1853
per cent of this number. On the av-
erage, therefore. for each hog that
died after treatment hogs were saw
ed. An outbreak of cholera in herd
which was not treated frequently re-
suits in loss of as many as 80 per
cent OF the hogs. The total cost OF
the treatment for tho six months We
estimated at about $2,400 and the
saving at $25,000.
While it evidently pays, therefore,
to fight hog cholera with serum, 1t is
still more profitable to take proper
precautions to see that It does not
appear. Treatment With the serum
alone provides immunity for from 80
to 80 days only. and unless proper
sanitary measures are taken, reinfec-