Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-04-06

tended Tor thl0 department. 70 A1N1x u
HAAA9D. Agricultural Editor Oxford DEN
Profit In Pork.
The following question appeared IN
recent issue of the Farmer:
&c. B. P: Iwould like to have th'
following question answered by DR.
Twitchell, and any others who have hat
experience: Can the farmer produce
pork In the state of Maize at . profit
II 90, what 10 the best manner to pro
ceed in the business-what are the bes
crops to plant to feed hogs on? A
what price per pound can pork be pro
duced?"
In attempting reply, 1t must be nm
derstood that it is but partial, for the
exact figures of cost can hardly be given
Can the farmers produce pork at . prof
it? Yes, most certainly they can, but
the margin will be small by the old pig.
pen system. In fact, 1t would be we'll il
the use of the pig-sty was prohibited,
we'll for the pigs, we'll for the cleanli-
ness and healthfulness of the family,
and certainly we'll for the pocketbook.
In no spot 10 there greater demand for
study Of cost than here. The man who
grows pork this year wants to know that
be 10 feeding that which costs the least
in proportion to actual food value. All
this leads directly away from the little
7x9 pen and out into tho open.
An acre of land plowed early In
spring, worked out and fertilized with
800 pounds Of grass and grain fertilizer,
will grow rape, clover and barley enough
to keep Q dozen year-olds in growing
condition from the last Of May until the
middle OF September, provided an abun-
dance of fresh water 10 supplied. This
means So for preparing and seeding,
81 so to IS for fertilizer and the cost Of
one bushel of barley, seven pounds OF
red clover and three pounds OF rape, the
total not to exceed $40. Still studying
economy, the planting Of IN acre OF corn
and pumpkins alongside this field will
provide the food for fattening where 1t
can be handled at least cost and return
the biggest profit. I would not allow
the hogs to hog it down as they do in
the west, but cut when ears are we'll
formed and throw over the wall or port,
able fence. Naturally a. time comes
for fattening, 1t will pay to check exer-
else, so that by the time the rape. clover
and barley are eaten down, the pen space
may be restricted. Here 1t will pay to
look we'll to the comfort OF the animals
By day and night. II warm, protected.
and given plenty of bedding, they will
fatten rapidly through October.
II Is useless to hope to succeed with
just pig. That pig, DO 1t one or more,
must be somebody. He must have .
father with character as we'll az blood.
Never breed your sows to grade boar.
There's too much danger Of getting poor
stock. Yon may use grade SOW, II Q
good one, and have just as good pigs as
anybody, but you cannot get these with
a grade boar. Start right or not at all.
Be sure the boar Is purebred, came from
q we'll built, vigorous, big producing
SOW, heavy mixer, and, II possible,
that his sire was az we'll bred. Added
to this, see that he is Q good individual,
size, is we'll shaped in body and
quarters, and strong in marks OF mascu-
Unity.
Breed early, that pigs may come In
March, in good comfortable pens, where
a guard rail will protect the little fel-
lows. Test your sows with one litter
and discard every one not heavy milk
er, no matter what your fancy may be.
II cared for, there's mighty little dan,
ger at farrowing time or with cross
sows. Make portable slat frame to
drop between SOW and pigs after . few
days old. This leaves them In full
sight and keeps them busy running back
and forth trying to get through. Nc
danger of thumps here. When ten days
old give them little trough and swee,
milk. Keep it clean and sweet and feed
them Just little, adding grain, ground
oats or middlings, AZ they learn to eat
OF course, this slst frame 10 removed to
let the little fellows get to their mother
frequently, and taken out of the way en-
tirely at night. Never take the Pig
away from the SOW to wean them. That
pen 10 their only homo. Just take thu
SOW away from them aud they will bard
ly miss her. These little things savt
from giving the pigs jolt which stops
their growing. You cannot afford tc
have this happen. 1t costs too much.
At four weeks, those pigs. shoulo
weigh 10 to 25 pounds, one or more
reaching the top figure, but don't wean
until at least eight weeks and ther
breed the SOW right away for the seconc
brood during the year. A good star
cuts the cost at killing time. While 81
Elmwood Farm, we wintered our sowi
on clover hay and ruta-baga turnips
with very little grain, and two weeks be
fore farrowing time began to feed mid
dliugs and sloppy food. The aim was tt
keep the sows In good, healthy, grow
ing condition all the time. Ill was t.
engage In the work again, 1t would b
along this same general plan, modifying
the same to meet existing conditions ant
find the most economical ration.
The time 10 near at hand when We
must grow moro roots to feed NOR
stock, hogs, colts, cows, steers, ant
sheep, for iu no other way can We hnt
the pathway to that prosperity for which
We sigh. The land Is ready to respond
the animals are at hand ready to cooper
ate, markets are growing all about US
and al that is necessary 10 that We &c
into the game and do something.
There 10 no question about the prof
of pork production along the lines indi
Gated. Isn't it shame that in ever!
village in Now England, at every cross
roads store, one finds every form o
western pork products for consumption
BY the farmers here? Yet We boast o
our skill as farmers, and think otbe
sections less favored. Get the pigs ou
this year and grow good healthy pork
something not possible In the filth o.
the barn cellar, or II fed on sour swill.
Naturally the hog is the cleanest ami
NAL We have about the premises, bu
our treatment forces them into the mir
and filth. There are good clean dollar
awaiting any man who enjoys the com
pauy OF a hog and will be friend to 1t
One thing more, don't turn little pig
out to forage for living a. you do thei
dams. Put In one corner OF the rap
field . slab fence, with openings to ad
init the pigs but not the sows, and fee
them regularly until they show them
selves ready to forage for living.-Dl
G. NJ. Twitchell, in Maine Farmer.
Heavy Horse Demand.
Readers will be especially intereste
In the figures recently announced by th