Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-07
Good Pasture and
Grain Rat;or, Make
Profitable Pork

q
able the farmer should provide pasture
for his hogs whenever possible. The
earlier in the year green feed can be
supplied the better. Swine of any
age relish green feed, and its use al
ways reduces the cost Of producing
gainsf on hogs. In addition, it keeps
the a1imals in good thrifty condition.
The Information given in this article,
however, applies to the northern part
OF the United States particularly
those states and sections of states
lying north OF parallel 80.
The best crops to seed in early
spring are wheat, oats rye, barley.
rape, Canadian field peas, and vetch.
Any of the cereals do well planted
singlys or in combination with rape,
Canadian peas, and vetch. In certain
sections, where these crops will sur
vive the winter. they can be sown
the previous fall. In sections where
1t is Impossible to maintain a stand
over winter, the crops mentioned can
be sown in early spring as soon as
the ground is At.
The pigs should be turned In to pas
ture the cereal crops when the plants
attain a height of about to 8 inches,
and taken off when the plants reach
such q height that the pigs begin to
spit the chewed material from their
mouths. This is because the percent
age Of crude. fiber the indigestible
part Of the plant, increases rapidly as
the plants grow larger. Green wheat.
oats, rye. and barley are generally
classified as carbonaceous roughages
When young, however these contain
high percentage Of protein and should
be classified as heterogeneous roughages
in the early stages Of growth. Because
the small grains when young are so
nutritious and are green when frost
has killed clover, they are ideal plants
to grow for pigs during late fall and
early spring.
Canadian Field Peas.
Canadian field peas when sown in
conjunction with some other kind OF
grain Goats, rye, etc. make an ex-
ce1Ient crop for hogs. The seed should
be sown in April or early May, and If
conditions are right the crop will be
ready to pasture In about thirty or
forty days. Hogs clean up the peas
and vines very well. The vines that
are left on the ground together with
the manure, enrich the soil and add
more humus to it. The great value of
peas as q pasture for swine is far too
little understood.
Hairy veteh.
Hairy syetch is g. legume of increas-
ing Importance, especially as forage
for hogs. 1t 1ourishes to a surprising
degree In Washington. Oregon, and the
Southern States, The seed should be
sown in the fall with rye or oats.
October is the best month in which to
plant this crop. When the winters are
too severe, vetch is not, generally
grown. 1t succeeds wherever Cana
dian field peas do well, but the field
peas are usually preferable. )
Rape n y
Rape as q forage crop is highly
recommended for hogs whenever II
can he grown successfully. acr!a
not 10 planted in the fall of the year
with the expectation Of its surviving
the winter. In most localities 1t Is
best to sow rape in, April or May. II
there is enough moisture In the soil TO
terminate the seed, it is generally
ready to pasture in about six weeks.
When pigs are put on rape, II gen.
orally takes them some time before
they acquire a taste FOR IT. Young pigs
do not make as good use OF rape pas
ture as older ones. The hogs should
not be turned on the rape until the
plants are at least ten inches high.
Rape is very satisfactory forage
plant for hogs. because 1t grows
rapidly and is cheap green feed.
Grain For Hogs on Pasture.
While the cost of producing pork
may be reduced by the use OF green
feed. it is desirable to feed grain In
addition. There is no time that grain
car, be so profitably fed to hog as
when he is young and running on
pasture. Under such conditions, 1t Is
possible to secure fifteen pounds OF
gain for each bushei OF grain fed.
During the spring. summer and early
fan months from one-half to three
fourths Of full feed Of grain will be
sufficient for hogs running on pas
ture. -. -.. i