The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-31

Sensible hog management saves only the most desirable sows for permanent use in the breeding herd, according to the specialists of he United States department of agriculture. who are striving to effect maximum pork pro- duction under economical methods The methods of many hog raisers are out of joint with the almanac. That is to say, many farmers waste valu- able time, when it is likely to be too late, in trying to cure hog ailments. although they could have readily pre- vented these troubles by sensible and seasonable management. The skater who sharpens his blades after spring has come in order to enjoy the ice of the past winter is of the same pattern as the hog raiser who in the spring wishes that he had practiced timely management during the previous period of cold weather
 The federal department advices that all breeders should exercise conscienti- ous and painstaking care in the selec- tion of sows for permanent maintenance in the breeding herd. The animals should be of good length, full depth, showing plenty of vitality as well as the inclination to take sufficient exer- else. They should not be skimped on starvation rations CT half-feeds, but rather should receive a full allowance, which, broadly interpreted, means that the porkers receive about all that they will eat with respect to economical methods of pork production.
 GREEN FOODS ESSENTIAL
 It Is highly desirable that the sows to be bred in the fall should have access to green forage crops as long as there o at~ tIol SOW realizes immeasurab1e benefit from rustling about for the bulk of her feed. The method insures the female porker of the exercise which is neces- sary to maintain her in the condition which favors good filters of pigs. As, on many hog farms relatively little green feed is available during the pig raising periods, it Is imperative that the Individual farmer provide plenty of food in balanced mixture in addition to making it necessary for the sows to exercise in the procuring Of this food. Many successful farmers maintain that during the winter season they feed their brood sows all the corn that the animals will eat. Some fallacy may be apparent in this statement unless the reader is thoroughly familiar with the conditions under which this plentiful use of grain lis practiced.
 The general plan of feeding corn is to scatter 1t in the ear over the fields where the sows may hustle after it. It is hard work to scoop corn from q wa gon which is driven through the field. much easier and more practical plan is to fill the manure spreader with the ear corn and to adjust the machine so that the grain will be well scattered. This process may possibly look waste ful, especially in view of the current price of corn, but if the feeder will be careful and not distribute an exces- sive quantity, he will find that the hogs will make efficient use of all of this grain
 The department specialists recommend the supplementary use of tankags. shorts or middlings, oil meal and ground al- falfa hay with the corn. It is hoped that fish meal may also become avail able soon for the use of hog growers, as this material has been demonstrated as useful as tankage for pork produc- ton. Under existent freight conditions.