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rape was cut and carried to them. This method of feeding gave more economi- 

 cal gains than fattening on pasture, and the bacon was of equally good quality. 



For breeding -.vs, however, pasturing the rape is preferable, owing to the 

 exercise it gives -imals. When on rape pasture, matured sows require 



little other food. 



Young, growing sows, however, require a fairly liberal meal ration in 

 addition to the rape. 



Vetches. Hogs eat vetches even more readily than rape, but the vetches 

 do not furnish so much food per acre. The vetches are reaay for pasture a 

 little earlier than the rape, and our common practice is to sow half our hog 

 pasture with vetches, and half with rape. The sows are turned on the vetches 

 first; and after this is eaten ofif, they are turned on the rape, and the vetch 

 ground is sown with rape to furnish pasture late in the season. 



Vetches may also be used as a soiling crop, as described under rape. 



Hairy Vetch. The seed of this crop is very expensive. There is no doubt, 

 however, that it makes an excellent pasture crop for swine. If not pastured 

 too closely, it grows up quickly when the hogs are removed. For early spring 

 pasture, it should be sown early in the fall, the latter part of August being a 

 suitable time in most seasons. About lYi bushels of seed p^r acre are re- 

 quired. 



It is our intention to modify our arrangements regarding our hog pasture, 

 and to sow about one-third of it with hairy vetch and rye in the fall; and in 

 the spring, sow one-third with common vetches, and one-third with rape. The 

 hogs will then go on the rye and hairy vetches early in the spring, then on the 

 common vetches, and then on the rape. The common vetch ground will be 

 sown with rape as soon as the hogs leave it; and the hairy vetches and rye will 

 make a second growth while the hogs are eating the first plot of rape. By 

 this means we hope to provide pasture earlier in the season than our present 

 plan permits. 



Red Clover. This crop is best suited for pasture; and the hogs should 

 be given quite a large range, or the clover will likely be killed out. It is 

 especially useful for breeding sows. 



Alfalfa. Where the soil and other conditions are suitable, alfalfa makes 

 an almost ideal pasture for swine. Care must be taken, however, not to pasture 

 too closely, or the crop may be destroyed. On the college farm, where a short 

 rotation is practised and only a small plot is set apart for a hog pasture, we 

 think we get more satisfactory results from annual crops. 



Soja Bean. This crop makes a valuable soiling crop for swine, but is not 

 suitable for pasture. It has a high feeding value, and is much relished by 

 swine. The crop is usually sown at the rate of half a bushel per acre in drills 

 two feet apart. The medium green variety is quite satisfactory for this pur- 

 pose. It is usually sown in the early part of May. 



Feeding and Management of the Boar. 



The age at which a young boar may be first used, depends a great deal 

 upon his development. Some boars will serve a few young sows when only 

 six or seven months old, and apparently not be injured by it. As a rule, it is 

 safer not to use a boar before he is eight months old, and to use him as 

 sparingly as possible until he is a year old. No hard and fast rule can be laid 

 down, and the owner must exercise his judgment in the matter. 



The quarters for the boar should be roomy, and he should have an out- 

 door lot in which to take exercise. Some boars are extremely active, and 

 will take plenty of exercise in a comparatively limited space. Some are very 



