Swine Growers' Session. 95 



artificially cured hay is much more valuable than the hay cured in 

 the field. 



The ether extract in the artificially cured hay is, on an aver- 

 age, higher than in the field cured hay. 



Mr. Gentry — There has been very little alfalfa raised in Pettis 

 county. I raised some two years ago which was quite a success. 

 I tried sowing some this fall, but it has not done very well. I 

 doubt whether it will go through the winter; but I expect to sow 

 more in the spring. I believe we can grow alfalfa if we go at it 

 intelligently. I believe alfalfa is a good feed for hogs, but I don't 

 believe quite as much in the hay proposition as the speaker who 

 addressed us a while ago. I think hay is pretty good for the hog, 

 but corn is good, too. I never saw a hog that did not like corn. I 

 think that good corn is one of the best things we can. give a brood 

 sow, and in fact we have had better success in giving brood sows 

 corn than in giving them too much mushy food. If a man will 

 select his ration right, he will find corn is good for a hog at any 

 age, and for brood sows especially. Teach your pigs to eat corn. 

 I don't beliee in a watery diet for little pigs. I like a solid diet. 

 The saliva is more thoroughly mixed with the food and we get a 

 better digestion. Start them on solid food. Don't be afraid to give 

 them corn; the mother's milk will balance the corn. Especially in 

 the spring of the year if you undertake to feed slop to small pigs 

 you induce scours and other diseases. I am a firm believer in corn. 

 Mix alfalfa with your corn, but don't fall out with corn. 



Mr. Crowell of Bates county — I want to ask Mr. Gentry when 

 he sows alfalfa in Pettis county. * 



Mr. Gentry — The first year I sowed it on the 20th of Septem- 

 ber, which was a little late, and lost about one acre out of the three 

 we sowed. The rest of it did finely. This fall we were late in pre- 

 paring the ground and the dry weather came on and we did not 

 sow it until the first of October, and I am afraid it will have a hard 

 time to live until spring. 



Q. How much do you sow per acre? 



Mr. Gentry — Twenty pounds to the acre. 



Q. I have been told that 10 pounds is just as good as 20. 



Mr. Gentry — It depends on the condition of the soil. We 

 would rather sow two or three times as much as is necessary in 

 order to get a stand ; but if you put your land in proper condition 

 and sow at the proper time I have been told by men in Kansas that 

 10 pounds is more than you need. It is best to start growing it in 

 a small way. 



