5<^ AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



May 1 2th ground was broken alongside the hog pasture, and 

 one acre was sown to rape, clover and barley. This was old 

 pasture land and very rocky. Here we used three pounds of 

 rape, one bushel of barley and seven pounds of red clover, and 

 on June 6th the opening was made for the hogs to run at will 

 upon this acre. From this time until in September no food 

 was given of any kind and the only labor item was to see that 

 there was a steady supply of fresh water in the troughs, the 

 orchard not having a natural supply. Above this acre and 

 alongside the orchard one-half acre of corn was planted and 

 one-fourth acre of pumpkins, and a portion of these last were 

 thrown over the fence before the hogs were brought to the barn 

 in October. In this way a good growth of the whole w^as 

 insured, and the sows farrowed large litters in September, in 

 the very best possible condition. The expense to the farm was 

 that of labor, seed, fertilizer and time demanded to maintain the 

 water supply and feed the pumpkins. The whole secret, if there 

 be one, lies in growing a bountiful supply of rutabagas and 

 mangolds to feed in winter, and in providing abundance of these 

 forage crops for summer. Two years' experience, has taught 

 the falsity of many theories, and surely the certainty of mis- 

 takes. Hereafter I surely would provide a nearbv field of 

 winter rye upon which the sows could be turned early in May, 

 if not in April, and on which they could feed while the rape, 

 barley and clover were being sown and started. Then. too. the 

 sowing of this combination should be at least in two periods, 

 to insure succulence throughout the season. Beyond this, the 

 pasture should include a stream, or abundance of springs, to 

 insure an abundant water supply and save the time and labor 

 necessary to furnish the quantity demanded for health and com- 

 fort. 



Surely w'ould I advise the use of the orchard, provided the 

 trees have reached good size, because of the iricreased profit 

 certain to follow. The shade of the trees will protect from the 

 extreme heat of summer, while the work of the season will 

 thoroughly fertilize every portion. From the first, the hogs 

 and pigs will eagerly search for the small apples as they drop, 

 and because of the thorough work done the orchard will be 

 free from the ravages of the dreaded railroad worm, while size. 



