Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-06-21
PIGS And Poultry.

"a penny saved is penny earned,
says the proverb; but in year OF food
scarcity like the present il is worth while
TO ask whether the penny saved upon the
farm may not better be used there as
capital TO earn another penny.
The secret of farm economy is not
merely in avoiding waste but in the profit
able use OF by-produotS. With that fact
in view county agents are urging farmers
TO keep more and better pigs and poultry.
Swine and hers together may be made TO
turn 10 profitable account all the waste OF
the kitchen and OF the garden, even many
OF the weeds that infest it-ior example,
purslane. Pigs and poultry will thrive
on vegetables that are too small or i'm
perfect TO market-eSpecially if the vege-
tables are well cooked and they will
eat other field produce that is often quite
disregarded. When the sweet corn is
thinned out in the hill, or when, later, a
stalk refuses to bear ears, instead OF pull
ing il and leaving il 10 dry upon the
ground, let the gardener try the expert
ment OF cutting il up and offering il 10 his
hens. He may be surprised 10 see the
eageruess with which il is attacked. even
where the fowls have grassy run"
Meanwhile, the pigs, il they are putting
on fat from farm produce fed to them,
are returning at present prices very
substantial dividend upon their owners
investment, and can often be made TO
earn a considerable part OF their own
living. The day is coming whes the sty
with its filth will be abolished. and the
Eastern like the Western farmer will
realize the worth OF range and pasture
for swine From the pig that is allowed
TO feast on the acorns OF the oak grove
are derived ham and bacon ot the finest
flavor, and the pig is delighted 10 gather
them for himself il he has the chance.
He is equally glad TO work over forage
crop like dwarf rape sown early for sum-
mer and late for fall feeding, and in the
process he will profit not only himself
but the field in which he pastures.
Geese, for similar reason, are likely
this year 10 be highly profitable 10 such
farmers as have pasture for them and
foresight enough 10 produce little green
forage for their use. The residue OF
these green crops, after affordlng pasture
to swine or poultry in the tall, may be
ploughed in when winter is over, 10 the
profit OF the soil
Butitmust be repeated that true economy
always dictates The keeping OF good in
stead OF poor stock. Well-proporioned
and well-bred pirs are the cheapest in
the long run. THey eat no more than
scrub stock, and they command a Tar
better market. Moreover, when neigh
bors cooperate and an intelligent county
agent advises, they are not difficult to
procure. The same thing holds true OF
fowls. The farmer cannot afford TO keep
unproduciive hens and in these days
OF trap nests the hen that pays Tor herself
can readily be separated from her sister
that ought 10 be hurried 10 market.
The manufacturer long ago learned that
the use or waste OF by-products often
determines his surplus or deficit at the
end OF the year. There is lesson here
for the farmer; and in time when both
labor and supplies cost so much i is
imperative that il be diligently studied.