1916.] SWINE RAISING. 55 



There are several reasons why swine appeal to me ; first, 

 the initial cost is low, and returns come quickly; second, the 

 hog is a scavenger, converting materials which would otherwise 

 go to waste on the farm into a marketable product ; third, there 

 is always a market for the hog or his products ; fourth, the hog 

 is easily cared for and he may be housed inexpensively ; — over 

 and against this may be offered the objections; high price of 

 grains, in many cases the lack of marketing facilities and the 

 danger of loss from hog cholera. 



Mineral Matter. 



Mineral matter is essential to good health in swine. It im- 

 proves the tone, increases appetite, aids digestion, prevents 

 worms, and insures good bone and muscle growth. This neces- 

 sary adjunct to the ration is often lacking because th6 grains fed 

 to swine, particularly corn, are very low in their content of 

 mineral elements. 



The brood sow must be liberally supplied with rich calcium,, 

 phosphorous and protein feeds to produce large, healthy pigs. 

 Experiments show that sows fed rations containing much lime 

 and protein produced heavier, larger boned pigs than did the sows 

 which received rations deficient in these bone-forming materials. 



All young growing hogs, more especially those kept for 

 breeding purposes should have free access to mineral matter to 

 insure a large rangy framework. 



Worms cause heavy losses to swine raisers. These parasites 

 usually attack and infest the animal whose digestive apparatus 

 and body conditions are not in the best of order. There are 

 many worm preventatives and conditioners sold at prices which 

 figure up to $125 per ton, and in the most of these charcoal and 

 and common salt make up the greater part of the weight, very 

 cheap materials, indeed. Hogs relish salt as much as other stock, 

 and a good way to feed it is to mix it with wood ashes and keep 

 it before them at all times. Soft coal broken up fine by means 

 of an axe is also good. Corn cobs may be raked into a shallow 

 pit, burned to a cherry red, then sprinkled with salt, covered with 

 turf, and an excellent conditioner has been prepared at a low 

 expense. Any one of the -above measures may be practiced at 

 little cost. > 



