24 FOEAGE CROPS FOR HOGS IN KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA. 



be attained by this method of harvesting corn: (1) The improve- 

 ment of the land and (2) the health of the hogs. The farmer 

 referred to says that in his first year's experience he snapped 20 acres 

 of corn beside the field hogged down. The next spring both were 

 sown to small grain under the same conditions and with the same 

 preparation. The wheat on the land where corn was hogged down 

 made 5 and the oats 7 bushels more to the acre than did the other. 

 The difference is just as noticeable in a succeeding corn crop. The 

 husks, cobs, stalks, and leaves all remain on the land, and these, 

 with the manure from the hogs, enrich the soil and add organic 

 matter to it. 



The health of the hog is another im.portant item. Hogs that have 

 plenty of range and exercise are not nearly as susceptible to disease 

 as those confined in a small pen. A hog that goes out after his feed 

 will, be well grown and thrifty, accustomed to the elements and not 

 liable to be injured by a sudden change of weather. It is difficult 

 to put a good finish on hogs while running in a large pasture. If 

 they are allowed to run on good pasture until three weeks or a month 

 before sending to market, and are then shut up and given all the 

 corn they want, with plenty of pure water, they will make very rapid 

 gains. 



This man allows his pigs to run in the corn as soon as the land is 

 plowed the last time, but does not let the older hogs into the field 

 until the corn is in good condition to feed in the fall. He says he 

 has also had good results from letting cattle into the corn first and 

 following these with hogs. He thinks this is the most practical 

 solution of the labor problem w^hen help is so high-priced and scarce. 



As stated in the beginning, it is the aim in this bulletin to deal 

 with some of the practical problems that are confronting the farmers 

 of this country. Facts that have come under the writer's observation 

 in the past year (1907) have been stated as concisely as possible and 

 applied to the territory visited and to similar latitudes. It is impos- 

 sible, as already stated, to prescribe for the wants of each individual 

 farmer in the limits of a bulletin such as this. The facts are given in 

 a general way, and it remains for each hog raiser to pick and choose 

 for himself as his judgment dictates. 



Ill— IV 



