Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-27
supplementary Pastures

form.
supplementary Pastures
Soy beans constitute one of the
most satisfactory supplementary pas
ture crops for hogs that can be util-
lied in the cotton belt. There are
early and late maturing varieties of
this crop. so that a succession of
beans may be had for two or three
months, depending on the location.
The soy bean does we'll in practical
jy all of the territory under consid-
GRAFTON. 1t is not difficult crop to
establish nor hard to cultivate. AS
the hogs will do the harvesting the
labor problem in association with
the production of this crop is great.
ly minimized. In this connection it
is well to remember that while the
hogs will primarily eat the grain
yielded by the soy beans they will
also consume very considerable GUAM
titles of the stems and leaves if
turned on this crop before it attains
maturity.
The velvet bean, of course, stands
next to the soy bean in popularity.
In some sections it would undoubted-
ly occupy first place. 1t is better
adapted for growth on sandy soils
than the soy bean, and the fact that
1t can be combined so simultaneously
with corn or with velvet beans and
corn adds to its 6esirability as a sup
Elementary crop. Any of the meth
DDS commonly used in planting soy
beans may be followed on farms
where it is to be utilized as a graz
ing crop.
The third important crop is the
pOWnn9 f1Ir
extensively grown in many sections.
1t is an easy crop to produce and
has wide adaptability. The varieties
show so much variation in maturity
that succession of feed can easily
be obtained, through the use of this
crop.
Lately the peanut has come into
general favor with hog raisers. 1t
will produce more pork per acre than
any of the other crops. 1t is already
extensively grown and the area de-
voted to it's cultivation is being en-
larged each year. Hogs are very
fond of peanuts and will harvest
them with avidity. There is one OBJ
lection to this crop, which lies in
the fact that it produces a soft pork.
The melting point Of the lard is from
ten to fifteen degrees below that of
corn-fed hogs. This makes animals
finished on peanuts Objectionable
when they come to market, as the
pork is soft and has dirty, yellow
ish cast instead of being firm and
white like that of animals finished
on corn. On the other hand, peanut
fed hogs produce a meat of superior
flavor, and when the meat is cured
by smoking the color makes little
difference. Peanut-fed hogs are dis
eliminated heavily against on the
market, however. and hence some
means of hardening the animals off
before they are sent to slaughter is
desirable. Up to the present time
no very satisfactory means of at
tanning this end has been worked out
1t is known, however, that in many
instances feeding on corn for a pc
Rod of thirty days or so will prove
helpful.
Chufas Crops
Chufas represents another crop
which can be utilized to good ad-
vantage wherever hog ranching is
practiced. This crop also tends to
produce a soft, oily pork no better
than that made from peanuts. The
crop does well on light sandy soils,
nov Svar, and can stand a good deal
of dry weather, which encourages
its use in the piney woods area OF the
gulf states.
Sweet potatoes have some value as
a hog food. Their watery nature,
however. initiates against them to
a considerable extent.
They produce so abundantly that
many are encouraged to use them in
spite of their handicap. Probably
one should sell the best of the sweet
potato crop and utilize the cullS. This
undoubtedly would be the most ad-
vantageous practice to follow from
an economical point of view. Rape.
of course, is a standard winter or
spring grazing crop and should be
utilized as extensively as possible
wherever seasonal conditions will
permit.
The winter cereals and some of
the vetches seeded early in the fall
will provide satisfactory grazing for
hogs during the fall winter and
Af