Newport daily independent., 1918-01-05
KEEP MORE BROOD
 S0WS AND G|LTS
These Are Some of the Recommends tions Made By J. H. Mcleod, Se-
 nicr Live Stock Specialist.

Breed your best sows and gilts to
 the best boar available. Consider your feed supply and raise hogs
 cheaper by combining forage crops
 with corn" These are some of the
 recommendation made by J. H. Nc
 Leod, Senior Live Stock Specialist
 with the Agricultural Extension Dt,
 vision Of the University of Ark
 aasas, under whose direction
 campaign is now being put on in the
 state for the purpose of increasing jhe number of hogs to relieve the red
 meat shortage which is confronting
 us In discussing the situation, MT.
 Mcleod says:
 "There is a 15 per cent shortage of hogs. This shortage has been brought about by a decreased production in tke United States and an increased demand by our Allies. September l, 1917, this number had decreased to G0,21S,000, showing a shortage of D. 427,0O0 head over the previous year. This shortage must be made I'D, and Arkansas has been asked to do her part by increasing her production of pork by 20 per cent. Last year we <, had 1,575,0G0 hogs in our state; this
 rleans that the number must be in- creased by 300,00D head.
 We Can Do This in Arkansas. Our corn crop is excellent, being
 AS per cent (21.585,o00) bushels great CT than it was last year. In addition the soil and climate make it possible t, grow great variety of forage crcps, and fore ge crops furnish the very cheapest hog feeds; consequent | iv, Go rot plan tc produce pork with cut the use of some of the common
 rrczirg crops like oats. wheat, rye,
 rape soybeans, cowpeas, etc. In making farm plans for the coming year leave sufficient ground to plant some of these grazing crops for the hogs.
 It is a Safe Proposition. The United States Food Administra- tion is behind the movement for greater production, and guarantees that the producer can at all times count on fair price for his hogs, so that it will be profitable to him; to limit the profit of the packer and the,
 middleman, and to eliminate specula- tion.
 Begin Now to Increase the Number of Brood SoWs.
 If man has not all the brood sows he can care for during the coming year, his selection should begin at
 once This may be done by holding
 back larger number'of the best gilts from the winter and spring sales, or by buying additional females. The demand for gilts and sows will be so great this winter and spring that ev- eryone cannot expect to buy the pure breds or even the best of grades. Look for the sows with strong backs deep and lengthy sides and good chest development. In order to bring the have length and depth of body, and to bring strong, healthy pigs and pro- duce sufficient milk for their devel- opment she must have a good consti- tuition. In selecting and buying breeding stock, first look at the hogs | the neighbors have for sale. This will not only afford an opportunity to zee the conformation of the hogs, but will also enable one to select the | most prolific breeders and heaviest milkers.
 Feeding the Brood Sow. Although there is larger quantity of corn on hand this year than usual,
 one should avoid feeding the SOW ex- clusively on this feed Not only is
 the number of pigs ppFredaggced~by the SOW affected by the ration, but also the strength of the pigs. All rations fed should have protein feed (such as shorts, bran. milk, alfalfa hay, clo- yer hay, cowpea hay, soybean hay. and green forage crops when they are available), which is muscle building, in connection with the corn, which is
 fat producing. Unless this is done a large percentage of the offspring will ! be lighter and weaker
 Water.
 Plenty of pure water is one essen tial often neglected in raising hogs
 Many people still think the stagnant
 pool or other filthy water is good
 enough for the hog, but as matter
 of fact, the hog is an animal that not only appreciates clean water to driak,
 but will also pay dividend upon the time and investment necessary to
 make the clean water available. A SOW that has this advantage always gains faster in weight and is more thrifty than one compelled to drink from the stagnant pool. Shelter.
 A SOW does not require an expensive shelter, but she should have a shelter