Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
MAKING EFFORT TO
 ORGANIZE PIG CLUES
County Farm Bureau is Working on
 Plan This Week.

This week the County Farm Bureau is endeavoring to form pig clubs and their plans are meeting with success. The following are the requirements for admission to the pig club contest for prizes:
 All children competing for prizes must be at least ten and no more than eighteen years old on July 1, 1917. Persons not eligible for prizes, but wishing to grow pigs. may receive all rules and instructions by sending in their names. It costs nothing to join.
 Secure a pig, of any breed, prefer ably about eight weeks old, and begin to keep records on or before July 1st.
 Keep records for four full months in the book which will be furnished, then mail to the address found on the back. Complete instructions for keep ing records will be mailed with the book.
 Weigh the pig at the beginning and end of the feeding period and if pos sible at the beginning of each month.
 Keep a complete record of each feed used, and the time spent in caring for the pig during the period of the con- test
 After the contest ends and before sending in the book write a short story on My Pig in the place pro- vided at the back of the record book.
 Exhibit the pig at a community fair.
 Each contestant shall personally feed and care for his pig unless i'll, but should advise with the County Agent and Pig Club Leader concerning the best methods of feeding and manage ment.
 The profit made on a pig will de- pend more largely on the way it is is fed than on anything else. The pig should always be fed enough to be kept thrifty and gaining. A Hgeral supply of protein and minerals or ash (the muscle on the bone forming parts 44 l growth and gain. Hominy chops, corn or barley are poor in these conStitu- ents, tho they furnish when burned in the body a large amount of heat and energy while skim milk and mid dlings, tankage and most green feeds contain one or both in abundance, so are excellen feeds to produce growth. The feeds in the ration should be so combined that the protein and ash are plentifully supplied for bone and mucle growth, and the starchy or car bonaciouS parts of the feed are suf- fcient for the production of fat heat and energy. Such a ration is called a balanced ration.
 During the first part of the feeding period, care should be taken that the pig does not become excessively fat, as this may make it too lazy to graze and often causes death from thumpS. protein and ash to the ration, and give the pig more exercise or if the pig is on pasture the feed may be re- duced somewhat. If the pig is being grown for meat purposes it should be fattened before the end of the period: if for breeding purposes it should never be very fat but should be kept in good condition.
 The greatest mistake made in feed ing pigs in Connecticut is in the fail ure to use pasture crops as much as possible. Some grain or concentrates should usually be given. as the di- gestive organs of the pig are too small to enable it to eat enough bulky feed to secure good growth. For grown hog that is not being fattened for slaughter. little feed other than pas ture Is required. Rape , field peas, green corn, clover and soy beans are among the best grazing crops for pigs. and should be used where grazing crop is not available. For about eight weeks before slaughtering, the pig should be confined in 8 close pen and fattened. During the first four weeks of the pen feeding. some use should be made of green crops and roughages such as soy beans. clover and alfalfa hays, while durin the latter part use only grain or concentrates, and grind all the small grains used.