338 STATB BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



WINTERING STOCK ON THE FARM. 



J. W. SPRINGSTEEN, DCWAGIAC, AT CASS COUNTY INSTITUTE. 



We next come to considering the pig, an animal that needs no introduction here 

 as he generally makes himself known wherever he is. He has a few wants, how- 

 ever, which his owner will find it to his own profit, as well as the pig's comfort, to 

 supply. First of all, from infancy he wants a dry bed, just warm enough to be 

 comfortable. More pigs die of disease contracted by lying in a damp neat than 

 from any other cause. His food may consist of almost anything that is edible, 

 but as long as the farmer raises corn, it will continue to be the pig's principal diet, 

 and so long as he continues to be a pig he won't object to it. It should be fed, 

 however, in moderate quantities, and everything from the house for which no 

 other use can be found may be profitably fed to him. in the form of swill, even 

 including the soapsuds. The pig is also the scavenger of the farm and the means 

 by which the 10 per cent of the corn fed to the cows must be used. Therefore he 

 should have free access to the feeding yard except at feeding time, and to all other 

 places where there is likely to be anything in the shape of food going to waste. 



WELCOME ADDRESS. 



N. E. BACHMAN, STANTON, AT MONTCALM COUNTY INSTITUTE. 



The man who owns and successfully operates a good farm is, or can be, one of 

 the most independent men living. It matters not how hard times are, or how 

 many thousands upon thousands in the commercial centers are suffering for the 

 bare necessities of life, he is always assured of a good wholesome living for himself 

 and family. It is true that he cannot accumulate wealth as rapidly as many other 

 men, but it is also true that he cannot be a wealthy man today and a pauper tomor- 

 row, with all his friends and associates condemning him for his dishonesty. 



SHEEP AND HOW TO MAKE THEM PAY. 



L. W. OVIATT, NORTH WILLIAMS, AT BAY COUNTY INSTITUTE. 



For those who have plenty of winter feed and a good place, we would say, get a 

 Christmas contract and feed for Christmas. Or, if you have many lambs, and buy 

 a few more, feed for the Buffalo market. But in this case do not sell until from 

 February to April. If you have a warm place to shear, you can sell in February. 

 With me clover and corn have proved to be the most satisfactory feeds. We have 

 used a self-feed for several years, but after much experience, we prefer feeding 

 in the folding rack. In buying and feeding for the eastern markets I have a few- 

 rules, given me by a prominent sheep man a number of years ago, which my own 

 experience has proved to be correct: 



1. Never feed rams. 



2. Never buy old ewes to feed. 



3. Never let your ewes get with lamb. 



As to sheep paying in Bay county, I have only to say that our sheep have paid 

 us well, lambs of our own raising bringing us from four to six dollars per head. 



