Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-07
MATURING HOGS IN THE FALL

MATURING HOGS IN THE FALL
Statistics Indicate that we import into
the state OF Georgia approximately
700. OOO. OOe pounds Of meat a year. 1t
Is believed that three-fourths of this
amount represents pork. Everyone is
familiar with the high prices now pre-
vaiIing for meat. and while speculation
NAV have had an influence thereon II
is useless TO blink the fact that there
is a falling off in the number OF ami
mails maintained on the farms OF the
United States. and In view Of the eN-
rraordinary demand abroad there is
bound to be an increase in prices as
we'll as a shortage at home unless We
Increase the number OF meat animals
now kept on the average farm one OF
the ways in which We can do this ac-
ceptably Is through the rearing OF pigs
during the late summer and autumn
Hence il appears that advice TO this
end should now prove timely and ac-
ceptable II proper action is taken in
mis- direction throughout the south
eastern states a very material addition
10 the pork supply could be effected.
e The following data and advice. there
fore. based on the experience and OBJ
servation OF the officers of the Georgia
state College Of Agriculture is believed
TO be timely, and will certainly prove
helpful II the suggestions made are put
Immediately into practice by the indi-
vtdusIs primarily concerned.
Fall Iitters are the fist step in meet
ing the pork shortage. Every SOW of
breeding age should be bred to a pure
bred boar for a fall litter. but that
IS not all. The important thing is not
that the litters be narrowed. but that
they be raised A large percentage of
Georgia's sows are bred at unknown
dates and left TO farrow in a pile of
leaves. wherever they happen to be.
without protection from the weather.
A trifle more care and interest in this
matter will pay handsome profits
All sows should be bred so as to far
row as near the same time as possible
in order that the pigs will be of uni
form size Bred sows should be fed about
two pounds Of grain daily for every
100 pounds OF live weight, while they
are on pasture or forage crops. If on
legume pastures a grain ration con-
sisting OF corn and velvet beans will
prove very satisfactory but. IL the sows
are on a grass pasture. protein feed.
such as tankage. shorts. velvet bean or
ltnseed meal will be necessary TO sup
plement the corn.
Ten days or a week before the sow Is
due 10 fsrrow she should be separated
from the rest OF the herd and provided
with shelter IL possible. still keep
her on pasture The sow's bowels should
rowing time Constipation at this time
means trouble in narrowing.
such leeds as pasture grass. wheat
bran and shorts. and either buttermilk
or skim milk will be valuable in this
respect No assistance should be given
until IL is needed. If she has been fed
on laxative feeds the SOW is usually
better OF when left quiet and undisturb-
ed at this time II the pigs must be ar
tificially removed IL is best TO take them
away by hand Pig forceps are not sat
isfactory. AS soon as the pig is remov-
ed the membrane about the head should
be broken and the body wiped dry. II
IL appears lifeless. respiration may be
started by pressing the ribs or blowing
down the throat AS soon as II Will
suck il should be placed at the udder.
Once pig gets drink Of milk from its
mother il is usually out of danger.
After narrowing the SOW should not
be fed for at least a day. A cool drink
Of fresh clear water. skim milk or but
termiIk is all that she will need. Feed
should be given as slOp for the first
week or ten days. after which the sow
should be gradually put on a grain diet.
Legume pasture and milk along with
the grain will make the litter grow as
nothing else can. Pigs should be en-
couraged to eat corn as soon as possible
and should be eating grain well before
Nneg are WeAueu at elEnN weeks OF age.
Housing OF some kind is absolutely
necessary for the SOW and the newborn
pigs II a large percentage of the fall
pigs are to be saved, sOws must be put
under a roof during farrOwing time
Fewer pigs are laid upon and killed
when the litter is narrowed in a house
instead of a pile of leaves. Very young
pigs exposed to rain and cold weather
easily contract thumps, rheumatism, or
bronchitis and die quickly. A dry house
vii save most Of the fall pigs which die
young.
Here are some things for a farmer to
consider in attempting TO produce a
maximum number Of profitable fall pigs
TO meet the pressing pork shortage:
l. BE sure that every SOW Of breed
ing age is bred to a good boar.
. A SOW that is bred while she is gain
ing in flesh will usually farrOw more
pigs than one which is served when she
is very thin.
J. Sows bred in June will farrow in
September or October
& Protection from cold rains is es-
sential to the production of thrifty
shoats. Small movable houses are
necessary. cheap and satisfactory for
this purpose. The State College of Ag-
riculture viii furnish free instructions
and plans to follow in building these
houses
5. A sure way to make a runt is to
have pig narrowed in the rain without
any shelter
s. SOW should not be excessively
fat when she farrows. but one which is
in good flesh at this time will make the
heaviest mixer and the best mother
:. The SOW must have plenty of pro-
TEN feed while she is pregnant and
while sucking her litter Whether a
pig will he runty or thrifty is usually
decided while he Is sucking his dam.
s. Hog cholera has cost the United